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f 

AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT 



PERSECUTIONS AND TRIALS 



RET. JOHN WHITTLESEY, 

OF SALEM, CONNECTICUT, 

LATE ORDAINED ELDER OF THE METHODIST 
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 

IIOLDEN AT SALEM, CONN. ON THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OP MAY, 1845, 

AND AT MONTVILLE ON THE FIFTH DAY OF THE SAID MONTH, 

BEFORE THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE, 



WITH APPROPRIATE REMARKS. 




YORK: 



1845. 



_K*Vf?£ 



Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1845, by 

JOHN WHITTLESEY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York. 









AN UNPRECEDENTED ECCLESIASTICAL 
TRIAL. 



U* 



To THE PUBLIC : 

We the undersigned, having been present at the Eccle- 
siastical trial of the Rev. John Whittlesey, Minister and 
Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Friday and 
Saturday, May 2d and 3d, 1845, in Salem, N. London 
County, Connecticut, feel that an imperious duty is binding 
upon us as men, and christians, to present a fair expose of 
the transactions as we viewed it, and as we verily believe 
every unprejudiced mind viewed it at the time. First, then 
the manner in which the charges were got up ; the time 
and money spent, in obtaining them ; the specifications in 
in those charges ; the length of time that had elapsed since 
the acts were said to have been committed, from three to 
more than thirteen years ago, and charges brought where 
no crime reasonably could have been committed, are all 
subjects which to us look very strange. The very extraor- 
dinary conduct of the triors at the time, with one honora- 
ble exception, Judge Hurlburt, and the conducting of the 
whole affair, from first to last by the whole of the accus- 
ing party ; the most astounding decision of that committee 
in sustaining charges and suspending him form his minis- 
terial labots, to the next quarterly meeting conference, 
when there was no evidence against him, or the slighest 
appearance of guilt on the part of the accused, and his 
final sentence at the quarterly meeting conference, left an 
impression on our minds, and we believe on the whole 



unprejudiced community, not only of his entire innocence 
but that a foul conspiracy had been formed against the 
Rev. Gentleman, in this matter, and we verily believe that 
the records of such a trial cannot be found either in Civil, 
Military, or Ecclesiastical tribunals, since the days of the 
Inquisition. 

Nathan Minard, Judge of Probate for Salem Dis- 
trict. 

James Lame, Justice of the peace. 

Alfred Lqomis, Sheriff^ deputy. 

Enoch Tredway, Justice of the peace. 

Levi H. Goddard, Justice of the peace for the Coun- 
ty of New London. 

Guy Loomis, Justice of the peace. 

Abner G. Jones. 

H. J. Newton. 

This may certify that I am personally acquainted with 
the gentlemen whose names are attached to the above 
statement, and that they now hold the office respectively 
affixed to their names, and that, they are men of sterling 
integrity, and sound judgment, and whose opinions may 
be taken as the voice of this community. 

David P. Otis, Town Clerk. 



INTRODUCTION. 

It may not be amiss to inform the reader, that prior to 
the trial, a portion of the Methodist Society, had, without 
any just or reasonable cause, been endeavoring to injure 
me by circulating false and slanderous reports, and endeav- 
oring to excite the public mind against me. They had 
pretended great friendship for me until about the time that 
I returned from New York the second time. Prior to this? 
finding that I was preaching in New York city, at the Rev* 
Mr. Withey's church, and that the good Lord had deigned 
to own and bless my humble endeavors for the advancement 
of his kingdom, Jonathan Harris and Richard Lewis 
thought they would take advantage of it and turn my 
labors to their account, and that of a small portion of the 
society who were bound for the payment of a small sum 
due for repairs on the Meeting House. Accordingly, I was 
requested to see if I could raise the amount by contribu- 
tion in the city. Knowing the society to be abundantly 
able to pay the small amount due, and as I had myself la- 
bored with my own hands more than a month in painting 
and repairing it, I declined doing it. My family too, had 
subscribed liberally, and I had raised money sufficient in 
other towns to purchase Astor lamps and carpets for said 
house. They, however, wrote to the Reverend Mr. Withey 
to have a contribution and raise the money. Brother 
Withey declined doing any thing about it, and I believe 
wrote them no answer. Whereupon stories were either 
put in circulation or reported by these very men, that I 

1* 



had taken up a contribution in behalf of the society, and 
had collected quite a sum for that purpose and had con- 
verted the same to my own use. This story did me much 
injury, so strongly had it been impressed upon the minds 
of many that I found it hard to make them believe other- 
wise. I could contradict it as I had other stories, and that 
was all I could do. At length the presiding elder came 
here and his ears were filled with it. I felt hurt to think 
that my brethren should report stories behind my back in 
the room of coming to me with them. 

Soon after this the presiding elder went to New York, 
and on his return handed me the following certificate. 

Salem, June 17th, 1844. 
" To whom it may concern : 

This may certify that Brother Ezra Withey informed me 
that there was no collection taken up or money given in 
his charge in New York for liquidation of the debt on the 
Methodist meeting house in Salem. This he informed me 
could not be done consistently with a resolution passed by 
the preachers in the city of New York. And he also in- 
informed me that what Brother Whittlesey received in 
New York was voluntarily given him by individuals in 
his charge, and certainly they had a right to give Brother 
"Whittlesey what they pleased. 

R. W. Allyn." 

I felt that I had been injured by men who should have 
assisted me, by professed brethren who should have 
watched over me for good rather than for evil, but had 
made up my mind to forgive them should they come in a 
spirit of christian meekness, and ask it, which I supposed 
if they were christians they would do as soon as they 



found what they had reported to be false. They however 
did not come, nor did they contradict the stories they had 
told, although they knew them to be false in every particular. 
"What next ? Why, they met in secret conclave and agreed 
by a vote, to send up north and see if something could not 
be found against me. This was called a Society meeting, 
although a majority of the members of said class never 
heard of the meeting till weeks afterward. Days and weeks 
were spent by Jonathan Harris, Henry Higgins alias 
Henry Kelly, (an Englishman who came into this country 
under the former name, and afterwards changed it to the 
latter,) Richard Lewis, and one Brown, for that purpose. 
But they came as they went, nothing was found as it seems 
by the charges. Lathrop P. Weaver now joined them, 
although he had said to me before this, in presence of a 
witness, that he had examined the charges against me, and 
found them to be false, and said he, Brother Whittlesey, I 
will stand by you if they turn me out of the church for it. 
He, however, took an entire different course, notwithstand- 
ing his promise, by taking every pains to see and preju- 
dice the preachers and people against me. He having the 
power to choose the committee to try me, chose such as he 
knew to be my enemies, as I have every reason to believe 
with one honorable exception : I allude to the venerable 
Ralph Hurlburt, whose moral worth and sterling integrity 
was never yet doubted, and by whose decision upon testi- 
mony I am and should be ever willing to stand or fall. 
Am I right in the premises? Let those who read the trial 
judge, I calmly and fearlessly submit it to the bar of public 
opinion. Among those who heard the trial, whether 
friends or foes, (with the exception of the clique before 



8 

named,) I believe there is but one opinion. The evidence 
hereafter given is from the attested record of the triors as 
taken by the Rev. R. Allyn, clerk of said board, in remark- 
ing upon which I shall endeavor " nothing to extenuate or 
set down aught in malice," and those who read this may 
expect as they certainly shall have a fair, exact and hon- 
orable expose of the trial in all its bearings. And now do I 
laud and praise the name of the most high God who reigns 
and rules in the armies of heaven, who has put a hook in 
the jaws of my enemies that they cannot harm me, who 
never will forsake those who put their trust in his all 
powerful arm. And I will add, I never felt more deter- 
mined to spend the few remaining days I have left in his 
holy service than at the present moment, and with the 
poet I can truly say, 

"Amid surrounding foes, 

Thou dos't my table spread; 
My cup with blessings overflow, 
And joys exalt my head.' 5 

Is it not enough that the servant is as his lord ? It is true, 
I fyave suffered much and may be called to suffer more, I 
freely forgive my enemies, even those who have testified 
falsely against their neighbor, as is proved in the following 
testimony by their own statements. 

John Whittlesey. 






TRIAL, 

I would here remark that as the same evidence applies 
to the first and second specifications of the first charge, 
they will be taken up and considered together. An at- 
tempt was made in the outset by Daniel Dochester, on be- 
half of the plaintiff, to have a private trial, to which my 
counsel, the Rev. Sidney Dean, objected. He was oppo- 
sed entirely to having the cloak drawn over the victim ; 
he wanted plain open work — no concealment. The 
charges had been publicly brought ; it was right that they 
should be publicly investigated. Elder Allyn was of 
opinion the trial should be private ; it was according to 
usage. To this Judge Hurlburt strongly remonstrated ; 
whereupon it was decided that the trial should be public. 
For this T felt extremely thankful. 

Charge First. Falsehood. 

Specification First. In stating to Joseph Hilliard that 
Matthias W. Baker had given a deposition in your favor 
different from the one given to Joseph M'Gregory. 

Specification Second. In stating to Matthias W. Baker 
that Joseph Hilliard had or would give a deposition in your 
favor different from the one given to Joseph M'Gregory. 

Now, I ask the public to read carefully the following 
testimony, particularly that of Josepti Hilliard, and if peo- 
ple are not astonished beyond measure, I will own myself 
mistaken. How great the desire of that man must be to 
injure me to prompt him to contradict himself in the man- 



10 

ner he does, the public must judge. It lies between him 
and his God, and to his awful bar must he render account. 
It may be necessary here to premise, that the deposi- 
tions here presented and alluded to, were taken in a case 
of defamation, I having sued Joseph M'Greg')ry, of Long 
Meadow, for saying that I was the father of an illegitimate 
child, before marriage, by a sister of one Elijah Polly, and 
that said child was supported by me at Long Meadow. 
The case was subsequently arranged between that gentle- 
man and myself, at which time he gave me the following 
certificate : 

" Springfield, Oct. 30, 1843. 
u I have never reported that John Whittlesey, of Salem, 
Conn., was the father of an illegitimate child by a sister or 
any other relative of Elijah Polly, and that said child was 
supported by said Whittlesey at Long Meadow, nor do I 
believe such to be the fact. 

" Joseph M'Gregory." 

Rev. John Whittlesey : 

Sir— The following charges and specifications have 
been put into my hands by Brother Richard S. Lewis 
against you : 

Charge First. Falsehood. 

Specification First. In stating to Joseph Hilliard that 
Matthias W. Baker had given a deposition in your favor 
different from the one given to Joseph M'Gregory. 

Specification Second. In stating to Matthias W. Baker 
that Joseph Hilliard had or would give a deposition in 
your favor different from the one given to Joseph M'- 
Gregory, 



11 

Specification Third. In stating to Mark Dodge that 
Elias Harvey had agreed to give a deposition in your fa- 
vor different from the one given to Joseph M'Gregory.* 

Specification Fourth. In denying having walked with 
two young ladies, as stated by Brothers Pratt and Harris.* 

Specification Fifth. In writing to Brother Josiah Ells- 
worth, of Ketch Mills, East "Windsor, that Henry M. Kelly 
had said that Orson H. Wood, of Ellington, had become a 
pious man, and had joined the Methodist E. Church, and 
likewise that H, M. Kelly said that he staid with O. H. 
Wood three or four days, and had a very spiritual time 
with him, and often quotes Brother Ellsworth and Brother 
Wood as equally pious, &c. 

Specification Sixth. In denying having altered or 
caused to be altered certain depositions. 

Specification Seventh. In telling Brothers De Wolf and 
Harris that you worked thirty days in painting the Meet- 
ing House when it was repaired. 

Specification Eighth. In denying having walked in 
New London with and treating with liquor a married 
woman. 

Specification Ninth. In advising Rev. Mr. Thompson 
to r sue Benjamin Hurlburt for defamation, and then denying 
it to certain gentlemen. 

Charge Second. Improper familiarities with females, 
contrary to Christian and Ministerial character. 

Specification First. In walking in New London with 
and treating with liquor a married woman. 

* Sustained 



12 

Specification Second. In entering a room where a 
young lady was in bed, and getting on the bed with her. 

Specification Third. Improper words to a young lady 
while riding in a wagon. 

Specification Fourth. Unchaste conduct towards a 
young lady at Brother Pratt's. 

Specification Fifth. In sitting up to improper hours 
in the evening with young ladies at Brother Pratt's. 

Specification Sixth. In sitting up to improper hours 
with women reported to be of a bad character.* 

Specification Seventh. In writing improper letters to a 
female. 
Charge Third. In causing certain depositions to be 

altered, &c. 
Charge Fourth. Persuading certain persons to testify 

what was not true in fact. 
Charge Fifth. Speaking evil of Brethren contrary to 

the word of God. 

You are hereby notified to appear before a committee, 
properly appointed, at the Meeting House of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in this place, on Friday, May 2, 1845, 
at ten o'clock, a. m., for trial on the above charge. 

Lathrop P. Weewer, 
Preacher in Charge. 

Salem, April 28, 1845. 

Salem, May 2d 1845. 
A Committee of Enquiry, convened in the Methodist 

* Sustained. 



13 

Episcopal Church, in Salem, Conn., on Friday, May 2d, 
1845 ? to hear and examine charges touching the Christian 
and Ministerial character of Rev. John Whittlesey, of said 
Salem, which charges were preferred by Brother Richard 
SL Lewis. The council was opened with reading a hymn 
by Brother R. W. Allen, and singing, and with a prayer 
by Rev. R. Hurlburt. 

Rev. L. P. Weever, Preacher in charge of Salem station, 
in the chair. The president announced as a committee, 
the following five brethren, local preachers in the M. 
E. Church, viz. Ralph Hurlburt, F. S. Hoyt, H. J. Newell, 
J. Sheffield, C. D. Fillimore. R. Allyn was announced as 
secretary of the committee. 

Objections were raised against C. D. Fillimore, on ac- 
count of connection, with a secret oath bound society, but 
were subsequently withdrawn ; the charges were then read 
by the secretary. S. Dean, was named as counsel for the 
defendant, and D. Dorchester for the complainant. 

A motion was made for a trial, with open doors, which 
was decided by the committee in favor of the motion. 

On the first Charge, (viz.) Falsehood. 

Specification First. In stating to Joseph Hilliard, that 
Mathias W. Baker, had given a deposition in your favor, 
different from the one given to Joseph M'Gregory. 

Joseph Hilliard called to testify ; who stated that about 
one year ago, in February, or March last, Mr. Whittlesey, 
with D. P. Otis, Esq., came to the house of witness, and 
wished him to give a deposition for Whittlesey ; witness 
had given in one. Supposed that sufficient. Whittlesey 
asked witness if he had not altered his mind, since the de- 
position given. Witness told him not ; Whittlesey told 

2 



14 

witness that Brown, told him he had; witness said not. 
W. said others had altered their minds, especially M. W. 
Baker, and had given a deposition a good deal more in his 
favor, than the one he gave before; he, W., pressed, 
crowded pretty hard for another, witness said if he gave 
another it would be the same ; W. was in a passion, and 
wanted to know, if witness was a going to put him to all 
that trouble, and told Otis, to go and find the Sheriff, Mr. 
Loomis ; Otis went and could not find hin ; they then both 
went out together ; in the course of an hour or two, the 
Sheriff came and summoned me to appear, at Mr. Pratts, 
forthwith, and tendered me the money ; witness went to Pratts 
and gave a deposition the same as the first, though the 
questions might be different, the time a little before sun- 
down ; next morning took my horse, and went down to 
M. W. Baker's, to know wherein he had changed his mind. 
After compliments, he, Baker, said you have altered your 
mind, and given in a deposition different in W.'s case. I 
told him I had not, he, Baker said, Mr. W. was here yester- 
day, and said witness had, and wanted me to give a dif- 
ferent one. I asked if he had done so, he said not, I told 
him that day before yesterday he, Whittlesey, told witness 
that you had given a different one. 

Cross Examined. 

1. Has there been no misunderstanding between you 
and Mr. Whittlesey? Witness said on account of Ma- 
sonry, he did not speak to Whittlesey, for some six or eight 
years. 

2. Has not witness cursed, and swore, at Mr. Whittlesey, 
in the said Whittlesey's own house? 

Overruled by committee ; question not answered. 



15 

3. Did you not give two depositions different ? 
Arts. Not in the important point. 

4. Never stated to any one that I did not believe the re- 
ports, for I always believed them. Conversation between 
Hilliard, and Whittlesey, took place before the deposition 
ivas signed. Opposing party was not present when the 
deposition was given. 

REMARKS. 

I would here state, that in the combining, comparing, 
and exposing the contradictions in the evidence and cha- 
racters of my accusers, I do it from no motives of ill-will 
or bitterness, but simply in self-defence, in order that the 
public may know with whom I have to contend, and the 
characters of my accusers. Who, then, is Richard S. 
Lewis — the man who has taken so much pains to hunt up 
charges against me ; charges, too, which have been, even 
by a committee of their own choice, in nearly every instance 
pronounced false? A man who has the name, so far as I 
have been able to ascertain in the town where he was 
brought up, of being extremely quarrelsome and mischief 
making ; and who, since the trial, has publicly stated what 
he must have known to be a falsehood, viz., in saying that 
1 offered to confess to Mr. Allyn — whereas I never men- 
tioned the subject to Mr. Allyn or any other person, and he 
will not say I did ; who collected money due to a poor girl, 
and then converted the same to his own use, as I am fully 
prepared to prove ; and who, according to his wife's own 
statements, (as I pledge myself to prove,) has lain down 
several times upon the bed with a married woman, not his 
wife, within a few months of the time he preferred the 
charges against my chastity. And this is the man who 



16 

professes sanctification, and who talks of charity. I charge 
him publicly^ as he charged me. The proof shall not be 
wanting. Will the church remember this in their purga- 
tive operation ? 

It may be proper further to remark, in order that the 
public maybe able to judge of the spirit of those who have 
been my persecutors, and of the strong delusion which 
seems to be sent upon them, that they profess to have seen 
visions, and to have had particular revelations from heaven 
upon this subject, which have been publicly proclaimed in 
their meetings by Jonathan Harris, and I believe one or 
two others. The vision was after this manner : a fiery fly- 
ing serpent was distinctly seen by them flying firstly over 
Col. Lathrop^s distillery, and afterwards passing the house 
of old Mrs. Rathbone, and then wending his way through 
the air to the house of Jonathan Harris, when the said ser- 
pent dove down the chimney into the fire, and was then 
and there dispatched by the said Jonathan. The serpent 
they interpret to be Mr. Whittlesey of course. Reader, are 
your risible faculties excited ? I have not told the story 
for that purpose. What I have related is the truth, as I 
have been informed by respectable persons, who have at- 
tended their meetings and heard the statements of said 
Jonathan. I now ask was the credulity of the public ever 
thus taxed since the days of Roger Mather and the Salem 
witchcraft ? Jonathan is remarkable for his egotism, spi- 
ritual pride, ungovernable temper, and uncompromising 
hatred and revenge towards his supposed enemies, and, in 
the language of Pope, " he deals damnation round the land 
on each he judges his foe." 

Specification Second on Charge First. In stating 1 



17 

Mathias W. Baker, that Joseph Hilliard had or would give a 
deposition in your favor different from the one given to Jo- 
seph M'Gregory, Mathias W. Baker, called to testify, he said 
that Whittlesey told him that Joseph Hilliard and others 
had or would give a different deposition from the first given 
to Joseph M 'Gregory. 

Cross Examined. 

About what time did this conversation take place ? In 
sleighing time. Whittlesey came in a sleigh. Mr. Brown 
was present and heard the conversation ; read a letter from 
Doctor Rogers, to convince me that I ought to give one 
more favorable to him. 

Under the First Charge, First Specification. 

Mathias W. Baker, called and testified that he never 
gave a second deposition to Whittlesey ; he requested me 
to do so, sent a justice to take another ; I refused to give. 
He said that was out of his reach, he wanted to convince 
me by a letter from Doct. Howel Rogers, that I ought to 
give another. I did not think he needed another. W. 
read the letter, I said if the letter was true he was not to 
blame, but that 1 did not see that public opinion was 
altered. Did not give one. 

Rebutting testimony on the first and second specifica* 
tio?is of the first charge. 
David P. Otis, Esq., testified. Elder Whittlesey called 
on me three years ago or so, and wished me to take cer- 
tain depositions for him ; among the number was Capt, 
Joseph Hilliards ; he was at home. Eider Whittlesey went 
with me to Capt. Hilliards, he rather declined giving a de- 
position, as he had given one to J. M'Gregory, and did not 

*2 



18 

wish to give another. Whittlesey said he should summon 
him ; we summoned him and tendered money, and Hilliard 
gave a deposition at Mr. Pratt's. 

Did you hear the testimony of Joseph Hilliard yester- 
day? 

Ans. Yes. 

Did any such conversation as stated by him between 
Hillard and Whittlesey, take place ? 

Ans. Not to my recollection ; I went and came with 
Mr. Whittlesey. 

Cross Examined. 

Did you hear all the conversation between Hilliard and 
Whittlesey ? 

Ans. Should think I did. 

Ques. Are you confident there was no other conversa- 
tion than what you heard ? 

Ans. There was not at that time, might have been at 
some other time. 

An extract from the deposition of Hilliard contained it 
the answer to the 4th interrogatory was here read. 

Here follows the two depositions of Joseph Hilliard, who 
testifies that they are both alike, before the ecclesiastical 
council— and I am charged with falsehood for saying that 
he, Joseph Hilliard, had or would give one different from 
the one given to Joseph M'Gregory. The first deposition 
the reader will notice is given to Joseph M'Gregory, and 
sworn to before A. R. Park, Esq., on the 30th day of March, 
1842, and attested to as a correct copy by Riehard Bliss, 
Clerk of Hampden County. The second deposition is 
given and sworn to before David P. Otis, Esq., on the 6th 



19 

day of February, 1843, more than eight months afterwards 
and likewise attested. I ask the reader to compare them 
with each other, and then compare them both with his testi- 
mony before the Ecclesiastical Court. The interrogatories 
to each of the depositions will be found affixed. 

The deposition of Joseph Hilliard of Salem, in the Coun- 
ty of New London, and State of Connecticut, taken on 
oath in answer to the interrogatories and cross interroga- 
tories hereunto annexed. Answers to the direct interro- 
gatories. To the first direct interrogatory the witness 
saith that he is 61 years old, is a farmer and has been a 
Constable, and Collector, and belongs to the Episcopal de- 
nomination. 

To the second direct interrogatory ; witness says, he is 
acquainted with John Whittlesey, the plaintiff in this case, 
has known him between twenty and thirty years, has 
lived within a quarter of a mile of him. between twenty 
and thirty years, and has often done business with said 
Whittlesey. 

To the third direct interrogatory witness says ; that the 
common report, in regard to the character of John Whit- 
tlesey, in relation to chastity, is ?nuch against him. 

Answers to Cross Interrogatories. 
To the first cross interrogatory, witness says ; I reside 
in Salem, in New London County. And have for the last 
five years. Witness has lived within a quarter of a mile 
of said John Whittlesey between twenty and thirty years, 
and done business with him. Witness's acquaintance 
commenced about twenty five years since. Said John 
Whittlesey resided in Salem when witness became ac- 
quainted with him. Witness has had little, or no inter- 



20 

course with said Whittlesey, for five years past. To the 
second interrogatory ; witness says, he knows said 
Whittlesey's personal reputation ; and have derived my 
knowledge of his reputation, from the speech of people 
for the last fifteen years ; which witness has heard, was 
told as knowledge and did not relate to any particular 
transaction, but to many. 

To the third cross interrogatory ; witness says, he has 
had some difficulty with said Whittlesey. No one has 
called on witness recently in relation to this matter. There 
was no one present at the taking of this deposition except the 
Justice, his clerk, and myself. 

Joseph Hilliard. 

State of Connecticut, / 

V ss 
County of New London. ( 

On this 30th day of March, A. D., 1842, before the sub- 
scriber, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for 
said County of New London, personally appeared the 
above named Joseph Hilliard, and being duly sworn, and 
examined upon the several interrogatories, and cross inter- 
rogatories, hereto annexed ; made and subscribed the fore- 
going answers thereto ; and J certify, that I have conform- 
ed in all respects to the directions of the commission here- 
to annexed. 

A. R. Park, Justice of Peace, 

1. What is your age and occupation ? What offices have 
you held: or do you now hold? To* what religious de- 
nomination do you belong ? 

2. Are you acquainted with John Whittlesey, the plain- 
tiff' in this case? How long have you known him? 
What have been your means of knowing him? 






21 

3. What is and has been the reputation of said Whittle- 
sey, in the community, for chastity ? 

H. & G. Morris, Deffs Attys. 

Hampden, ss. Clerk's office C. C. P., March 19th, 1842, 
filed this day, 

Attest. Richard Bliss, Clerk. 

Cross Interrogatories. 

1. Where did you reside? Where has been your resi- 
dence for five years past ? What opportunities have you 
had for an acquaintance with the Rev. Mr. Whittlesey ; 
and when did the acquaintance commence ? Where did 
he reside, when you were acquainted with him? State 
what intercourse you have had with him, for five years 
past ; and upon what occasions you have met him> or had 
any business with him, or any conversation with him? 
Have yon had any personal acquaintance with him ? 

2. If you speak of Mr. Whittlesey's reputation ; state whe- 
ther you can swear, that you know his personal reputa- 
tion ; and from what source you have derived your know- 
ledge ; at what time you gained it, and in what manner? 
Was what you have heard, told as knowledge or suspicion ? 
Did it not relate to a particular transaction ? 

3. Have you, at any time, had any difference or difficul- 
ty with Mr. Whittlesey? Has any one called on you re- 
cently to talk with you on this subject ? If so who, and 
when, and whether it was the defendant, or an agent of 
the defendant ? If so, state what was said. State who 
were present when you give your testimony. 

Chapman & Ashmun, Attyls to Plff* 
Hampden, ss. C. C. Pleas. Feb. Term, 1842. 



22 

Opened in Court 10th day of Term, and filed 11th day. 
Attest. Richard Bliss, Clerk. 

(Copy.) Attest, Richard Bliss Clerk, C. C. Pleas, 

The deposition of Joseph Hillard, of Salem in New Lon- 
don county, taken according to the foregoing commission. 

To the first direct interrogatory the deponent saith, he 
has as much as he has got now ; he did not derive any of 
his knowledge from M'Gregory or his agents. M'Gregory 
asked him, the deponent, if he was asked the question what 
the common report was respecting the plaintiff's chastity, 
he told him if he was summoned and obliged to testify, he 
should tell the truth, until then he should not say any 
thing. 

To the second direct interrogatory, the deponent saith, 
by Appleton R. Park, Esq. Park read the questions, and 
Daniel Bulkley wrote them down ; as near as he can re- 
collect the question was asked what the common report 
was as to Mr. Whittlesey's chastity ; he answered rather 
against him. The question was then asked whether the 
reports were mere flying reports, or correct. The answer 
was pretty correct. He further says, that the deposition 
was read to him after testifying. He did not look at it 
himself. 

To the third direct interrogatory the deponent saith, he 
knows nothing against his character for morality and chas- 
tity. He now says, his answer is the same, as before rela- 
ted. He knows not but that it is perfectly good. To the 
first indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, he derived 
no knowledge from M'Gregory or his agents. To the 
third indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, it has not. 
The plaintiff's wife applied to him once on the subject. 



23 

To the fourth indirect interrogatory, the deponent saith 
there has no person said any thing to him respecting the 
plaintiff's chastity, or his giving this deposition. 

Joseph Hilliard. 
New London County, ss. Salem, sworn to the 6th day 
of February, 1843, before me, 

David P. Otis, Justice of the Peace. 

1. Have you given a deposition for M 'Gregory in this 
case ? If so, what knowledge had you of the reputation of 
Mr. Whittlesey at the time? And did you derive any part 
of your knowledge from Mr. M'Gregory, or his agents ? 
What did they say on the subject ? 

2. By what magistrate was the deposition taken ? In 
j what manner was it taken ? State particularly, and also 
. state what you testified, and whether the deposition was 
• written according to your statement. 

I 3. What knowledge have you now, in regard to said 
i Whittlesey's reputation for chastity, and his moral eharac- 
| ter generally ? What do you now say as to his reputation 
I in these respects ? 

4. Do you know any thing else of use to the plaintiff in 
this case ? If so, state particularly. 

Chapman & Ashmun, Attyh to Plff. 
Defendant objects to evidence of what was said by 
; others, under the first interrogatory, as hearsay. Also to 
j 4th interrogatory, as too vague and indefinite. Also, to 
i evidence of reputation, unless in respect to chastity. 

H. & G. Morris, for Defendant. 
Hampden, ss. Clerk's Office C. C. P., filed January 11th, 
1843. 

Attest, Richard Bliss, Clerk. 



24 

Cross Interrogatories. 

1. If you answer to the direct interrogatory, that you 
derived any part of your knowledge of said Whittlesey's 
reputation for chastity from said M'Gregory, or any of his 
agents, state when you so derived it, and if from any 
supposed agents of M'Gregory, state what knowledge you 
have that they were his agents. 

2. If you answer to the direct interrogatory, that your 
testimony was not taken down as you stated it : state the 
particulars in which it differed. 

3. Has a copy of your former deposition, or any part 
of it, the substance of it, or any part of it been shown or 
read to you, or has the same been in any way communica- 
ted to you? If yea, when, how, and by whom? If in 
writing, annex a copy. If verbal, or by writing out of 
your possession, state what it was, as nearly as you can ; 
and if written, state what has become of it. Has said 
Whittlesey, or any persons on his behalf, applied to you 
respecting the deposition you have given for the defend- 
ant ? If yea, how many times, and who applied ? 

4. Have any communications, either written or verbal, 
been made to you by the plaintiff, or any one on his be- 
half respecting his chastity, or about your giving the pre- 
sent deposition ? If yea, when, and by whom, and how 
many times ? 

H. & G. Morris, Attys. of Defendant. 
(Copy.) Attest, Richard Bliss, Clerk C. C. Pleas. 

REMARKS. 

The question now arises, are the two foregoing deposi- 
tions alike or at all alike ? Joseph Hilliard testifies be- 
fore the ecclesiastical counsel that they are alike. Read 



25 

the first and second answers to the different depositions, 
and see if they are at all alike. But, says the objector, the 
main thing is, whether he testified the same in both depo- 
sitions with regard to your moral character? Well, then 
read the answer to the third direct interrogatory in the 
last deposition, in which he says he knows nothing against 
his character for morality or chastity ; and likewise his 
answer to the second cross interrogatory, in which he says 
he knows said Whittlesey's personal reputation, and tells 
how he has obtained his knowledge; and likewise the 
answer to the third direct interrogatory of the same depo- 
sition, and then read his testimony before the triors, in 
which he says he had not altered his mind ; and then, to 
cap the climax, read the testimony of D. P. Otis, Esq., and 
if that is not sufficient, read the deposition of this same 
Joseph Hilliard, where he swears, in answer to the fourth 
indirect interrogatory, that there has no person said any 
thing to him respecting the plaintiff's chastity, or his giv- 
ing this deposition ; and then look at his evidence before 
the triors where he testifies that he had a long conversation 
with the plaintiff before he gave that deposition. I leave 
it. Comment is unnecessary. May God, in his infinite 
mercy, forgive and save him. 

As to what Hilliard testifies with regard to what I said 
to Baker, it may be proper here to state, that said Baker 
never gave but one deposition, and that was given to me, 
and it was in my favor, and it is hardly probable that I 
should have told Hilliard that he, Baker, promised to give 
me a deposition different from the one given M'Gregory, 
wheu he had never given him, M'Gregory, any. At least, 
I think the public will require some other proof after read- 
ing the foregoing testimony. 

We now pass to specification fourth, in which Joshua 
Pratt is the principal witness, to prove my having walked 
with the two young ladies in question, for the denying it 
could certainly be no crime if I did not walk with them 
arm-in-arm as related ; he was the only witness to prove that 
I did ; and I brought five good and respectable witnesses 

3 



26 



before the conference to prove that it was not the case— 
which will be found in an account of my second trial 
before the conference; but the conference, it seems, set 
aside the whole five, and believed the testimony of Mr. 
Pratt. This has created vast astonishment in the minds 
ol all the community, as well it might. Mr. Pratt inti- 
mates that his feelings were much hurt at seeing me walk 
arm-in-arm with the ladies. Now, would it be believed 
that this same professedly pious man, while a member of 
this church and a class leader, would go to a house where 
a young woman was at work, and get her out under the 
fence with him in the evening under the cover of night 
and remain with her alone from half to three-fourths of an 
hour. I am prepared to prove this by as good and re- 
spectable witnesses as can be found in this town, or else- 
where. But if the Methodists in this church are disposed 
to keep him in without trial, thev can do so ; but I repeat 
that I am prepared to prove every word of the above, and 
will do so whenever called upon, either by a civil or eccle- 
siastical tribunal. And this is the man who was so 
shocked at seeing me walking arm-in-arm to a religious 
meeting with two young ladies. Verily, the frailties of the 
human heart are astounding. 

Specification Fourth. In denying having walked with 
two young ladies, as stated by Brothers Pratt and Harris 

Moved to take up the fourth specification under first 
charge. Wm. De Wolf, called to the stand. Whittlesey 
came to my house about the 1st of October, last ; brought 
some letters and writings, to show to me and my family 
which he wrote to Brother Harris, and Sister Pratt ; other 
writings, he had with them: commenced a conversation 
about a difficulty in the Church, and asked what ought to 
be done ; I said Brother Harris, thought best to appoint a 
committee, and send up to the North, and find out if there 
was any truth in the reports from that quarter: the con- 
versation went on, Whittlesey asked what the society had 
against him. I said some did not want to hear him 
preach. Brother Latham, was one. I then stated that 



27 

Brothers Harris and Pratt, said that they saw him lock 
arms and walk with two young ladies up to Mr. Thomp- 
son's meeting. Whittlesey, denied walking with them in 
that way to Thompson's meeting : and said that Brothers 
Pratt and Harris, never saw him lock arms with them, 
but said he walked with them from his house, as he would 
with two men ; and the Rev. Mr. Thompson, took them 
in his carriage and brought them home ? 

Cross Examined. 

When did Mr. Whittlesey say this took place ? 

A?is. Nothing was said as to the time; Brothers Harris 
and Pratt, said that Miss Collins, was one going to Thomp- 
son's meeting in the evening. 

Jonathan Harris called and testified. I was at Brother 
Pratt's three or four years ago ; went from there to Mr. 
Thompson's meeting house ; Brother Whittlesey came 
out of the west room at Brother Pratt's with two young 
ladies : myself, and Brother Pratt went out. I went first 
and Brother Pratt followed, and Brother Whittlesey and 
the two young ladies. After we got out, the two young 
ladies and Brother Whittlesey fell back in the rear; we 
walked on up to the meeting house. After I got to the 
meeting house, I halted and Brother Whittlesey and the 
two young ladies came up to the meeting house. Brother 
Whittlesey between them locking arms with them. About 
a year ago, I met Brother Whittlesey in Brother Pratt's 
shop. The subject began to be agitated about the stories, 
and Brother Whittlesey commenced on evil speaking; 
thought the Brethren did wrong in saying what they did ; 
he asked if I ever saw any thing out of the way in him. 
I then referred to the time of walking with these two 
young ladies. Said he, I guess I did not lock arms with 
them, did I? I told him I guessed he did. Said Mr. 
Whittlesey I hurt myself a great deal about that time, 
said he, the people were talking about me, and so many 
stories were told about me, that I thought I would hump 
up my back, and let them know what I could do. 



28 

Cross Examined. 

In the edge of the evening, pretty dark. They were 
some distance from me. Cannot tell, if after this I gave a 
deposition in Mr. Whittlesey's favor. Cannot tell what 
year this occurred. Cannot tell who the young ladies 
were, was informed they were the two Misses Stebbins, 
did not see them lock arms till they came up to the steps 
of the meeting house. Could not tell whether Brother 
Whittlesey had their arms, or they had his. 

Joshua Pratt called — testified : I recollect seeing Brother 
Whittlesey walking with two young ladies. Mr. Thomp- 
son had a meeting appointed at a School House, near a 
place called Dark Hollow ; there were some ladies board- 
ing at my house ; one of them Jane Stebbins, the other 
called herself Jane Maria Collins. Brother Whittlesey 
came to my house and invited them to go to meeting ; I 
was going also ; we started from my house and went for- 
ward toward the place of the meeting ; I was not at any 
time to exceed a rod from them from the time of starting 
till we got on the ground ; Brother Whittlesey and the 
ladies walked upon the west side of the turnpike ; part of 
the time while they were walking, I observed, and I knew 
well my feelings at the time, that Brother Whittlesey was 
arm-in-arm with them ; they walked in this manner to the 
house appointed for meeting ; the meeting was closed, and 
Mr. Thompson gave them an invitation to ride in his car- 
riage, and they got in and rode to his house, and then got 
out and came to my house; I dont recollect of any conver- 
sation with Brother Whittlesey on this subject. 
Cross Examined. 

I cannot recollect as to the time ; it was when they board- 
ed at my house ; Mr. Park boarded there at the same time ; 
it was an evening appointment ; should say about early 
candlelight; not a dark evening; I believe I have given 
a deposition in favor of Brother Whittlesey since. 

Hannah Pratt, wife of Joshua Pratt, testified : I recol- 
lect that Jane M. Collins and Jane Stebbins went from my 
house with Brother Whittlesey. 



29 
Cross Examined : — Did not see them lock arms. 

REMARKS. 

In referring to the testimony of Jonathan Harris, it will 
be seen that he distinctly testifies that he " was informed 
that the young ladies in question were the two Misses 
iStebbins." He likewise testifies that he " cannot tell who 
the young ladies were ;" while Mr. De Wolf testifies that 
Mr. Harris told him that one of the young ladies was Miss 
Collins. Now I ask, candid reader, how Mr. Harris could 
tell Brother De Wolf who they were, when he testifies he 
did not know ? Or, how he, Harris, can say that he can- 
not tell who the young ladies were, when this same Harris 
testified at the same time that he had been told who they 
were, and therefore must have known ? All three con-" 
cerned are brethren in the church ; there must be false- 
hood somewhere. But, says one, there may be a mistake. 
Stop, reader ; — they allow of no mistakes. Recollect this 
very charge is one on which I was bound over, viz., for 
saying that I did not lock arms — which alleged circum- 
stance took place five years ago. It appears that the com- 
mittee would not believe that I ??iight have forgotten or 
Mr. Pratt be mistaken. According to the principle upon 
which I was dealt with, if Mr. Harris takes up Mr. De 
Wolf first, Mr. De Wolf must walk the plank; because the 
accuser is allowed to testify, and as the one testifies entire- 
ly different from the other, and a mistake cannot be plead 
in excuse, I see no way but the one who complains must 
be sure to beat the defendant. 

I would here beg the indulgence of the reader while I 
introduce the deposition of Joshua Pratt, given after he saw 
me walk, as he says, with the ladies. His opinion is 
clearly expressed therein ; and if he thought that I was a 
bad man, would he have given it ? The reader will 
readily see in Pratt's testimony before the committee that 
notwithstanding the horror that overspread his mind at the 
sight that he beheld of the heinous crime that I had 
committed in locking arms with two young ladies in 
passing up to a religious meeting, he never once admon- 

3* 



30 

ished me therefor according to the gospel rule, although 
more than five years have passed away since it occurred ; 
nor is there the least allowance made for the possibility of 
a mistake in him or me, relative to the position in what 
manner we walked ; but Pratt was considered as speaking 
truth, and myself guilty of deliberate falsehood. The time 
testified to by J. Harris, in which he speaks of my going 
to the Presbyterian Meeting House with two young ladies, 
I remember nothing of, nor did I ever deny it. I have 
often been to meeting there, and the Rev. Mr. Thompson 
and myself have united in religious worship together, and 
I have walked to the house of God in the street at the 
same time when young ladies were in the street, nor 
should I have remembered the other at this remote period 
of time, had not the meeting been at some distance at a 
school house, where meetings are not often held, and the 
circumstance of the travel being bad, and the young ladies 
being very desirous to go, one of whom was a member of 
the church of that order, and the Rev. Mr. Thompson 
kindly inviting them to ride, as it was muddy walking in 
the month of April — five years last April. 

Note. — The following questions apply to all the depo- 
sitions excepting Joseph Hilliard's, and one of M. A. 
Pratt's. 

Interrogatories. 

1st. How long have you lived in said Salem ? What is 
and has been your occupation; and what is your age? 
What offices do you hold, or have you held ; and to what 
religious denomination do you belong ? 

2d. How long have you known Mr. Whittlesey, the 
plaintiff; and how near to him have you lived? 

3d. What is and has been the reputation of said Whit- 
tlesey in respect of moral character ; and especially his 
character for chastity, and his standing in the community? 

To be put to a part only. Is said Whittlesey a married 
man ? How long has he been so ? 



31 

John Whittlesey vs. Joseph NP Gregory. 

Hampden, C. C. P., Dec. 9th, 1842. 

Cross interrogatories filed by the defendant to be put to 
each of the deponents named in the interrogatories filed by 
the plaintiff, to accompany a commission to take the depo- 
sitions of Charles Thompson and others. 

1st. Are any of the other witnesses named in the direct 
interrogatories of the same family with yourself? If yea? 
State their names. 

2d. In speaking of the plaintiff's chastity, in answer to 
the third direct interrogatory, did you intend to express 
your own opinion in regard to his chastity, or the opinion 
of the community ? 

3d. Can you swear that you know his general reputation 
in respect to chastity throughout the town in which you re- 
side ? Or is your knowledge of it confined chiefly to your 
own neighborhood ? 

4th. Can you swear that you know the general reputa- 
tion of the plaintiff for chastity, in any other town or towns 
besides that in which you reside? If yea? Name all such 
towns, and state your means of knowing his reputation for 
chastity in those places. 

5th. Had not the chastity of the plaintiff been questioned 
or doubted prior to July, 1841 ? And were there not im- 
putations against it, or reports unfavorable to it prior to 
that date? 

6th, Have any communications, either written or verbal 
been made to you by the. plaintiff or any one on his behalf, 
on the subject of his chastity, or about you giving the pre- 
sent deposition? If yea? When, and by whom. 

8th. In what house or other building is this deposition 
taken ? Who is the occupant ? Name all the persons who 
have been present during the whole or any portion of the 
time while you have been giving this deposition? Has 
the plaintiff been at or about the place when you have 
been giving this deposition during any part of the time? 
Have any of his family or agents been "there? 

9th. Has the Justice been present during the whole time 



32 

while you have been giving your deposition? By whom 
have the questions been read to you? By whom have 
your answers been taken down ? Have any other ques- 
tions been put to you respecting the subject matter of this 
deposition ; or any explanations or suggestions been made 
to you on the subject, while you have been testifying or at 
any other time? Have your answers been put down in 
your own language as expressed by yourself; or in the 
language of the person writing them, or some other 
person? 

A true copy. Attest, Rich'b. Bliss, Clerk C. C. Pleas. 

The deposition of Joshua Pratt of Salem, in New Lon- 
don county, taken according to the foregoing commis- 
sion. To the first direct interrogatory the deponent 
saith; that he has lived in Salem over twenty-seven 
years ; his occupation is and has been that of a black- 
smith ; his age is sixty-one years; that he holds the of- 
fice of sealer of weights and measures, and has had that 
of grand juror for several years : that he belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal denomination of Christians. 

To the second direct interrogatory the deponent saith, 
he has known Mr. Whittlesey, the plaintiff, forty years, 
and has lived within a short distance of him for twenty- 
seven years. 

To the third direct interrogatory the deponent saith, 
his reputation for chastity, and his standing as a chris- 
tian and a gospel minister, and his moral character in 
all respects, has been and is as good as that of any man 
in the community. 

To the fifth direct interrogatory the deponent saith, 
he is and has been for more than forty years. 

To the first indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that Caroline M. Pratt and Mary A. Pratt, named in said 
commission, are his daughters, and the only members 
of his family named therein. 

To the second indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that he intended to express the opinion of the commu- 
nity as well as his own. 



33 

To the third indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that he intended to speak of the plaintiff's reputation 
throughout the town in which he resides. 

To the fourth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that he knows the reputation of the plaintiff for chastity 
to be good in the towns of Colchester, Montville, Bozrah, 
and Lyme, and that he derives his knowledge from often 
having heard him preach in those towns, and having been 
with him there and known the favorable reception given 
him there, and the great success of his preaching there. 

To the fifth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
there was nothing, prior to July, 1841, which could or did 
weigh at ail in the public mind against the reputation of 
the plaintiff for chastity. 

To the sixth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
he has. 

To the seventh indirect interrogatory the deponent 
saith, there has never been any made to him by any one. 

To the eighth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
at my own house; no one has been present during the 
time of taking my deposition, save the justice who took 
it ; neither the plaintiff or any of his family or agents 
were there, or about there any part of the time. 

To the ninth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that the justice has been present during all the time of 
taking his deposition, and no other person ; that the ques- 
tions were read to him by the justice in their order ; that 
no other questions have ever been put to him about the 
subject matter of this deposition ; and that no suggestions 
or explanations have been made to him while testifying 
or at any other time ; and that his answers were expressed 
in his own language, and taken down by the justice. 

Joshua Pratt. 

New London County, ss. Salem, sworn to this 27th day 
of December, A. D. 1842, before me, 

Levi H. Goddard, Justice of Peace. 
(A true copy.) Attest, Richard Bliss, Clerk C. C.Pleas. 

Committee of Inquiry adjourned for three-fourths of an 
hour. 



34 

The Committee of Inquiry met according to adjourn- 
ment at 2, p. m. Took up the fifth specification — an ex- 
tract from a letter written by J. Whittlesey to Josiah Ells- 
worth, of Ketch Mills, dated Feb. 19, 1845 ; also a copy 
of the original letter from Brother Whittlesey to Brother 
Ellsworth, attested by Nathan Minard, Esq., as a true 
copy, were read. Specification laid over till other wit- 
nesses arrive. 

Took up the third specification, which states : 

Specification Third. In stating to Mark Dodge that 
Elias Harvey had agreed to give a deposition in your fa- 
vor different from the one given to Joseph M'Gregory. 

A written testimony from Elias Harvey, was received 
and read by the Secretary : 

" This is to certify, that the Rev. John Whittlesey, of 
Salem, met me on the road or highway between Mr. Pratt's 
shop and Orramel Whittlesey's dwelling house, and said to 
me, that my wife and myself had testified against him in the 
case of M'Gregory ; I said to him I did ; as to the general 
report of Mr. Whittlesey as to chastity, &c, that 1 knew 
nothing against him personally ; he then asked me if 1 
was willing to counteract that deposition, could I be satis- 
fied that I was wrong ; I said yes — always hoped that 1 
should be willing so to do with all men ; he then read a 
long letter, or a copy of one, from Dr. Howell Rogers, stat- 
ing he had been his' physician for a number of years, and 
stating some particulars; I did not consider that doing 
away with public opinion, nor did I ever agree to sign 
any thing to counteract what I had done until I was con- 
vinced to the contrary of what I had done, which I am 
not, nor never have been. This written by me as the 
truth, as near as [ can recollect. Colchester, May 2, 1845. 
"Yours respectfully, Elias Harvey, Jr." 

Mark Dodge called— testified : admitted the specifica- 
tion by Whittlesey's counsel, and claimed that it was true 
that he had told Mark Dodge what was alleged. 

Orramel Whittlesey called — testified : at the time of the 
conversation between Mr. Elias Harvey and my father, I 



35 

was standing on the corner of the off-set wall, at the north 
end of my house ; hearing conversation, went up there to 
him ; father was reading, or rather talking, to him about 
the letter of Dr. Rogers, given to my father in regard to dis- 
ease of the spine ; Harvey said he had every confidence in 
Dr. Rogers, and whatever he said he should believe ; fa- 
ther asked him if he was willing to give a deposition in his 
favor, and he said he was. 

Cross-Examined. 

Don't know if Mr. Harvey ever did give a deposition. 

Elias Harvey, Jr. called : Heard he had been laid in the 
lie, and had come down to see about it ; I did not agree to 
give W. a deposition, only conditionally ; I told him if 
that letter from Dr. Rogers was a true letter, and it looked 
like his hand-writing, I did not see why he, Whittlesey, 
should be blamed; told him I thought much of Dr. Ro- 
gers, but I did not agree to give him a different deposition, 
only conditionally. 

Here Orramel Whittlesey rose to explain, and said he 
did not mean to lay Mr. H." in the lie, but he thought Mr. 
Harvey was mistaken, and must have forgotten a part of 
the conversation. 

REMARKS. 

Reader, the evidence on this charge is all before you ; 
and would you believe, can you believe, that this is one of 
the three on which I was brought in ; (I wish the reader 
distinctly to bear in mind, that only three of the specifica- 
tions or charges brought against me were sustained, even 
in the eyes of a portion of this prejudiced committee, for 
on neither of the specifications in which I was brought 
in were the committee agreed,) and that these three speci- 
fications were the most frivolous of any of those against 
me. I say frivolous. To be sure the charge of lying is 
a grave one ; but then it is years since, and Mr. Harvey 
might have forgotten in reporting a conversation that took 
place years ago. If there were twenty witnesses, scarce 
any two would remember alike. But how stands the tes- 
timony in this case? put it in the worst light we can, I 



36 

assert that Mr. Harvey told me thus and so. My son 
Orramel testifies that he was present and heard the 
same conversation ; but the committee decide we are 
both guilty of falsehood, and that Mr. H. cannot possibly 
be mistaken. I believe this is the first time (to say the 
least) that my sorts character for truth was ever called in 
question ; but as this imputation seems to be thrown upon 
him by the committee, I will here state (not boastingly 
but in order to show his standing in the community) that I 
believe he has held, and so far as I know, honorably sus- 
tained the offices of Justice of the Peace, Post Master, and 
Member of the State Legislature from this town, where 
he has resided for nearly thirty years. 

We now proceed to charge first, specification sixth. In 
denying having altered certain depositions. Likewise to 
charge third ; In causing certain depositions to be altered. 
They will both be considered under one head, as the evi- 
dence for the one, is the same as the other. 

It might be well here to state, that none of the deposi- 
tions taken by Esquire Lamb, were ever used ; they hav- 
ing been taken in accordance with the laws of the State of 
Connecticut, whereas, they should have been taken in ac- 
cordance with the laws of the state of Massachusetts ; they 
consequently were all taken over again by Justices Otis 
and Goddard ; and that these depositions are the only 
ones in question. 

This specification and charge, in the opinion of the 
committee, were not sustained ; the falsehood being too 
glaring for the eyes of even the committee. 

Specification Sixth on Charge Firsts now taken up. 
Henry M. Kelley now called to testify to this specification, 
which reads thus :— rln denying having altered or caused to 
be altered, certain depositions. 

In the year 1841, Mr. Whittlesey either came or sent his 
youngest son Henry, I think it was to me ; and he asked 
me if I would write depositions for his father ; I said I 
would ; and went to Mr. Whittlesey's in the evening that 
he appointed for me to come there ; there he told me he 



37 

wished me to go with Squire Lamb, who was at that time 
a magistrate in this town, and to assist him in taking a 
number of depositions in a case then pending between Mr. 
Whittlesey and Mr. M'Gregory of Long Meadow. 1st. 
Mr. Lamb and 1 went around the neighborhood in order. 
2nd, Mr* Lamb had a commission To take depositions 
from the court. 3rd. To take the depositions, we went 
to the houses of the deponents; the depositions were taken 
by interrogatories and answers; after they were taken they 
were taken to the house of Orramel Whittlesey, and in the 
absence of Mr. Lamb, they were altered by the order of 
Mr. Whittlesey. Mr. Whittlesey would have the inter- 
rogatories written on a piece of paper, and the answers 
underneath; he would then order me to leave a line or 
two between the answer of the last and the interrogatory of 
the next ; Mr. Whittlesey would then, after they were 
taken to Orramel's, erase out something of the answer and 
insert something of his own composition, or of his son 
Orramel, who used generally to sit by and order him what 
to write. The answer to one particular interrogatory 
he would alter almost always. This interrogatory read 
like this ; have you ever heard unfavorable reports as to 
the plaintiff's character for chastity. The answer to that 
was, I have, in almost every case ; then he altered it by 
adding to it, but from no other source than from his ene- 
mies, and once in awhile from his political enemies. 
Another way of altering was, when we started from the 
house, he would have the interrogatories written, inter- 
rogatories direct and indirect ; he would then have the in- 
terrogatories read in the presence of the deponents, and he 
would ask me to write the answers upon another piece of 
paper : then having the answers upon another piece of paper, 
he would, after he came to Orramel's, then write off the 
answers from the other sheet of paper, and put them into 
the other sheet that had the interrogatories — the name of 
the deponent he would have written upon the paper that 
liv d the interrogatories without the answers; deponents 
d d not sign the paper that had the answers upon it; the 

4 



38 

oath was administered previous to deposing ; the justice 
finished the depositions after altering them at Orramel's ; 
depositions were not, to my knowledge, read to the depo- 
nents after alteration ; I was Mr. Lamb's clerk at the time. 
Cross Examined. 

Witness, an Englishman ; been in this country eleven 
years last November or December ; am not on terms of 
common friendship with Mr. Whittlesey; think the depo- 
sitions altered in March, 1841 ; cannot say what deposi- 
tions were altered. I have seen Mr. Lamb sign and seal, 
and write the directions on the outside of the package ; 
have not said whose depositions were altered. May have 
said, I thought whose were altered. The justice did not 
know they were altered; was not under oath as clerk 
of the justice ; Mr, Lamb took the depositions; Mr. 
Lamb certified that the depositions were taken according 
to the commission from the court ; Mr. Lamb did not read 
them to my knowledge when he sealed them. I did not 
tell the justice the depositions were altered, because it was 
none of my business ; it was a year before I told of this 
alteiation ; I think to Mr. Harris ; Mr. Lamb read the ques- 
tions; I wrote them on another paper, and afterward 
copied them. / have since given a deposition to Mr. 
"Whittlesey, certifying to his moral character; have given 
two depositions for him ; the last given after the purported 
alterations of depositions; have not said I would injure 
Whittlesey all in my power. 

Ques. Have you not said that we should have done no 
more about preferring charges against old Whittlesey, 
had he not come against you to Mr. Pratt, but now it should 
go ahead at any rate, as you had good backers ? 

Ans. No. 

Qu es. Have you not said that Mr. Whittlesey was as 
wicked a man as there was out of hell ? 

Ans. I said, that if a certain report was trae, Mr. Whit- 
tlesey must be as wicked a man as there was this side of 
hell. 

Ques. Did you think there was ^ny thing morally 
wrong in altering those depositions ? 



39 

Arts. I did not think of it at the time; he hired me to 
write, and what he ordered me to write I wrote. 

Ques. Was secrecy enjoined on you ? 

Ans. Not at the time. 

Ques. Have you had conversation with Mr. Whittlesey 
about altering the depositions ? 

Ans. Mr. Q. Whittlesey once came to the shop where I 
was at work, and asked if I had not reported that I altered 
the depositions, or if I had told Sarah Harvey so ; I did 
remember that I had told Sarah Harvey, but said I had not 
told others ; he threatened to prosecute me, as / had forged 
his name ; have not conversed with Brother Whittlesey, 
on this point. 

Ques. Did you write the interrogatories. 

Ans. I did, at Mr. O Whittlesey's house. 

Note — This testimony was brought under the fourth 
charge. 

Henry M. Kelly recalled— testified: at the time when I 
went away from the sheriff, in order to evade my deposi- 
tion, I sent word to his son Henry that the officer was 
down, and he wanted my deposition I supposed, and I ask- 
ed him what 1 had better do ; J ran away ; when I return- 
ed, Mr. J. Whittlesey had come back ; I went over to his 
house ; he was in bed ; I went to him and told him the 
matter, and he cisked me what I supposed M'Gregory 
wanted my deposition for ; I told him I thought relative to 
altering depositions ; we can easily get over that, he said ; the 
court is put over to November, and when the case comes on, 
I want you to go to Springfield, and there I want you to 
swear that you were sworn as a clerk for Mr. Lamb ; I 
said, you know I was not under oath ; he said, the magis- 
trate was under oath, and that was just the same; I said I 
cannot look upon it so ; well said he, you was ; Mr. Lamb 
was, and 1 want you to swear so ; he repeated it over three or 
four times ; perhaps not in the same words ; he said that 
I had been sworn in a court before a magistrate, and that 
would answer just as well ; I refused to go and swear, as 
I did not know that I had been sworn ; he urged me ove? 



40 

three or four times, and told the reasons why he wanted 
me to swear. 

Cross Examined : — The time was, I think the June 
after I wrote depositions. 

Daniel Bnlkley called : during the pendency of this suit of 
Whittlesey against M'Gregory, I assisted Esquire Park, of 
Colchester, in taking sundry depositions for M'Gregory in 
Jan. 1843, just previous to the trial of the case, which took 
place in Feb. ; M'Gregory's agent came down into this region 
of country ; it was suggested to him that the depositions 
which had been taken by James Lamb, and H. M. Kelly, 
as his clerk, had been illegally or improperly taken ; the 
agent returned to Massachusetts, and obtained a commis- 
sion from the court to take the depositions of H. M. Kelly 
and James Lamb, in relation to that subject ; the commission 
was directed to A* R. Park ; A. R. Park and myself came 
to Salem to take the depositions in accordance with the 
commission ; we came first to Mr. Joshua Pratt's, where 
Mr. Kelly was ; Kelly saw us and fled ; after searching for 
him some time and not being able to find him, we went 
over to the house of Esquire Lamb to take his deposition ; 
we were told that Esquire L. had gone to New London ; 
we returned home the evening of the same day ; we start- 
ed again for Mr. Kelly and Esquire Lamb ; came down 
the old road ; we were told that Kelly was at J. Harris'; 
went there ; found him there ; family said he had gone to 
bed, or was going to bed ; he slipped out at the back door ? 
and gave us the slip again ; we did not catch him ; we 
then went to Esquire Lamb's ; waited till he returned 
home, near nine o^clock in the evening ; after some consi- 
derable talk in persuading, succeeded in taking Esquire 
Lamb's deposition ; can't now exactly recollect the interro- 
gatories to be put to Esquire Lamb ; the substance of them 
was to the illegal taking of the depositions which he had 
taken ; made a good many evasive answers to the inter- 
rogatories ; we at length succeeded in bringing him to a 
point, so that we were able to get about what we wanted^ 
and went home ; we never succeeded in getting a depo- 



41 

sition from Kelly ; he did not want to give it ; he evaded 
us ; I was present at the trial of the case at Springfield in 
February ; the depositions taken by Esquire Lamb were 
not produced there on the trial ; I understood they were 
withdrawn by the counsel; Esquire Lamb's testimony 
went to confirm the illegality of those depositions, for se- 
veral reasons ; one, because on some occasions Mr. Whit- 
tlesey was present himself; other illegal points were, the 
depositions were written out in full before they went to 
the deponents, all they did was to sign their names, and 
he swore them. 

Cross Examined : — Should think that many other de- 
positions besides Ex-Gov, Cleveland and Ex-Gov, Peters 
were read ; I should say fifty, 

Quest. Is it not the common way of taking depositions 
in Conn, to write them in full, and then the deponent sign 
them. Arts. It is. But the deponent must be present 
when it is written ; never was an enemy, and am not now 
to Mr. W. ; have made remarks in relation to things I had 
heard. 

Here an extract from a letter of John Whittlesey, to 
Jonathan Harris was read, showing that Whittlesey had 
denied altering the depositions. Here follows certain ex- 
tracts from the letter written, September 2, 1844, to Jona- 
than Harris and Richard S, Lewis, two of the principal 
movers in this trial. 

Very Dear Brethren. 

After having spread out all my wants before my Hea- 
venly Father, and told him all my trials, and having asked 
wisdom of him who cannot err, I have come to the con- 
clusion, that duty calls for me to address you by letter; in 
doing which, I feel naught but a spirit good will to you, 
and all my brethren, and first I would say that thirty-eight 
years have rolled away since I trust God for Christ sake 
forgave all my sins, and thirty-five or six years of the time 
I have strove in my feeble way to preach the Gospel of the 
Son of God to my fellow creatures : to encourage believers 
to persevere in holiness : comfort the mourner, and alarm 

4* 



42 

the sinner to a sense of his danger, while unreconciled to 
God ; how far I may have been successful in my efforts, 
the light of eternity will disclose. Yesterday sixty -four 
years had passed away since first on earth I had a being. 
I looked back on the past, and onward to future years. 
I saw life fast drawing to a close ; I saw what I did I must 
do quickly ; hence I renewdly consecrated myself to God 
with all I have and am. and informed my family of this 
my consecration. Mrs. Whittlesey said in reply, prepare 
yourself for trials, for said she they will surely come. This 
I expected, for I well knew that trials had been the portion 
of my cup, and slander let loose her ten thousand tongues 
upon her victim: every little circumstance or occurrence 
of my life where the least advantage could be taken was 
seized with avidity and pressed into the unholy service to 
destroy my influence and usefulness, nor has the peculiar 
state of my wife's health for many years, been one of the 
smallest sources from which hath been drawn inferences 
to injure me. Every preacher that has come on to this 
circuit for more than fifteen years, has had his head filled 
with scandalous stories respecting me ; which if true, are 
sufficient to have excluded any man, from the kingdom of 
grace and glory. Who would have believed that some of 
those brethren in whom I had the strongest confidence* 
with whom I had preached, prayed, and wept, would have 
taken the course they have, and without authentic evi- 
dence have given credit to those vile reports, and indus- 
triously circulated the same ? Is this a gospel way of dealing 
with a brother ; even a criminal at the bar is never con- 
demned till fouud guilty ; much less should we expect 
men professing a great degree of godliness to pursue so 
unscriptural a course, especially unless the stories come 
from a source of undoubted veracity ; and if I read the 
bible right we are not to believe a report against an Elder, 
unless substantiated by two or more witnesses. Do you 
say that you are informed bv a christian that I have al- 
tered, or caused to be altered certain depositions? I am 
prepared to prove the reverse. I know full well from 
whence such a story emanated; and I know the cause. I 



43 

have my Dear Brethren a few questions to ask you which 
I wish you to answer, as soon as convenient, agreeable to 
to scripture and according to the dictates of own conscience, 
and as you can meet it at the judgment at the bar of God. 
Quest, first, is it right to listen to and report the above 
story to a third person and not go to the accused ? Quest, 
second^ could you take more of an effectual course to in- 
jure a gospel minister, then to represent to the ministry 
and others, that the public were destitute of confidence in 
him ; that they would not hear him preach, or ever wor- 
ship God in the same house ; and that if he spoke, or en- 
tered the pulpit, the people would leave the house ; are not 
such reports, and insinuations calculated to do great in- 
jury? and such is the course you have taken with me. 
May it not be possible there is danger in offending a little 
one, who believes in Christ, and hedge up his way as a 
gospel minister and immortal souls be lost in consequence. 

Quest, third, was it consistent with that charity that 
thinketh no evil, for you to indulge in such jealousies 
against my moral honesty in monied matters, as to sup- 
pose I had taken up contributions for the church, in Salem, 
and appropriated the same to my own use, and report 
those suspicions, and thereby, seek to detect me in the 
wicked act of fraud ; and yet never mentioned the fact to me. 

Quest, fourth, can you reconcile it with a conscience 
void of offence toward God and man, the course you have 
taken with with regard to reports coming from my bitterest 
enemies, of crimes said to be committed by me, in men- 
tioning them to others, at the same time carrying the idea 
that they emanated from a scource entitled to credit ; which 
reports true, or false, are calculated to do me essential in- 
jury, and suppose by your zeal with false testimony you 
should be able to destroy me ; for without false testimony, 
it cannot be done. What would be gained thereby ; would 
not the Church bleed at every pore, and satan and his 
emissaries triumph ; and Methodism in Salem and else- 
where suffer thereby. 

O my Dear Brethren, suffer the word of exhortation 
from a friend, whatever may be your feelings to him ; a 



44 

friend whose spririt is grieved, but has no desire for retalia- 
tion ; but one who longs for peace ; I intreat of you my 
brethren as you love the cause of Christ, as you would 
not wish to injure the innocent, as you would not hedge 
up the way for the salvation of poor sinners. Pause ! O, 
pause, and consider, and ask yourselves am I taking the 
course I would have taken with myself in the change of cir- 
cumstances ; may I not after all be hurting the oil and the 
wine ; had I not better go see Brother Whittlesey, and with 
candor, and desire for his immortal soul talk with him, 
and by my kind and loving acts, show him that I am his 
friend, and save him if possible from the snare of satan. 
Love will do the deed, when nothing else will ; will it 
not be well for me to cease to talk against him, it may do 
his wife good, whose feelings are now much injured. On 
reflection would not such a course be more to the glory of 
God, and better calculated for pacification and union ; 
would it not be more consistent with the doctrine of holi- 
ness, you profess ? It may be I am to fall by your hand, 
you can do me the greatest injury provided people believe 
you possess, what you profess. I ask is there no danger 
of touching the anointed of God, or doing his prophets 
harm ? May the Lord give me patience to suffer all his 
holy will, as well as do it. 

Yours affectionately, John Whittlesey. 

To Jonathan Harris and Richard S. Lewis. 

Remarks. Here, in the testimony of Mr. Bulkley, we 
hear of the very singular phenomenon of a sworn justice 
of the peace, in company with his clerk, endeavoring, con- 
trary to the spirit, nature, and tenor of his commission* to 
worm out of a witness, by entreaties, or threats, or in some 
other way, as he says, about what we wanted. Now they 
did not get all they wanted. Why ? Because they want- 
ed to get more than the truth, as would appear from Bulk- 
ley's statement. But what business had they to act as at- 
torneys in the case, contrary to the nature and tenor of the 
commission and oath of said justice, which makes it th© 
duty of the said justice simply to read, or cause to be read, 



45 

the questions there written down, without altering the form 
thereof, and put down the answers in the precise words of 
the deponent. Were they interested ? It seems so from 
Bulkley's testimony. It may here be proper to remark 
that fifty of the depositions taken by a certain justice for 
M'Gregory were thrown out, and the justice severely cen- 
sured on the same ground by the court. Whether Bulk- 
ley told the truth, is not for me to say ; it is a difficulty 
between him and the justice, which they can settle at their 
leisure. 

Rebutting Testimony. 

Alfred Loomis called. I was called to assist Esquire 
Lamb in taking depositions, in March, 1842 ; I assisted 
him in taking about one hundred ; I took down the ques- 
tions when asked by the justice ; after we were through 
taking the deposition ; it was taken by Esquire Lamb ; I 
asked where he kept them. Witness was here dismissed 
for the present. 

A. Loomis again called. I was present at the taking of 
depositions ; I was present with Esquire Lamb; officiated 
as clerk ; Justice asked questions, 1 took answers ; in one 
or two instances I complained to Esquire Whittlesey of 
having too much writing ; it would expedite business to 
have the questions and some of the answers before hand ; 
some had asked to have the depositions written and they 
would sign them ; I think that in every case where the 
answers were written the deponents acceded to it; John 
Whittlesey has not, to my knowledge, altered or caused to 
be altered certain depositions. 

Orramel Whittlesey. No deposition was altered or 
amended by addition, as I was present when they were 
completed by Esquire Lamb, at my house, where they were 
sealed. 

James Lamb, Esq., called. I was present, and acted as 
justice in taking more than one hundred depositions for 
John Whittlesey ; Kelly might have been present at the 
taking of four ; to the best of my recollection not more ; 
there was no alteration of any deposition which I consi- 



46 

dered finished; I think I should have known had any 
been altered, as much as if they had been stolen ; Kelly 
went as clerk to Mr. Russel T red ways. 

REMARKS. 

I beg leave, here, to introduce the deposition of this 
same Henry M. Kelly, given more than a year after the al- 
leged alterations were, according to his statement, perpe- 
trated, in which he swears that my moral character, in all 
respects, during his acquaintance, has been good ; aud that, 
in saying this, he meant to express the opinion of the 
community as well as his own. iSow the said Kelly is 
either a perjured man, or his testimony before the commit- 
tee was false. For it is impossible that my moral charac- 
ter should be good, and still that I should have told him 
to alter depositions, of which he accuses me, " Out of 
thine own mouth will I judge thee." 

The deposition of Henry M. Kelly, of Salem, in New 
London county, taken according to the foregoing commis- 
sion. 

To the first direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that 
he has lived in Salem five years and over; my occupation 
is a farmer, and am twenty-four years of age ; has not nor 
does he hold any office ; belongs to the Methodist denomi- 
nation of Christians. 

To the second direct interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that he has kn>wn Mr. Whittlesey, the plaintiff, during 
his residence in Salem, and has lived within forty rods of 
him. 

To the third direct interrogatory the deponent saith, his 
moral character, in all respects, during my acquaintance, 
has been good ; his reputation for chastity never disputed 
until August, 1841, and then from Massachusetts; his 
standing in society as a Christian and gospel minister 
good ; he has preached more or less with success, and to 
the satisfaction of the public during my acquaintance with 
him. 

To the first indirect interrogatory the deponent saith 3 
they are not. 



47 

To the second indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
I meant to express the opinion of the community as well 
as my own. 

To the third indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
throughout the town in which he resides I can state that 
I know. 

To the fourth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that he knows the reputation of the plaintiff for chastity 
in the towns of Montville. Bozrah, New London, East 
Windsor, and Vernon to he good ; that his means of know- 
ledge are from the deponent's having been in those towns 
frequently, where the plaintiff has often preached, and 
known his reputation there, and the disapprobation the 
stories from Massachusetts met with in those towns. 

To the fifth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that he never heard any reports before July, 1841, which 
bore the weight of a feather in the public mind. 

To the sixth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
he has. 

To the seventh indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
none at any time. 

To the eighth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
at the house of Joshua Pratt ; none but the magistrate was 
present or about there while the deposition was taking. 

To the ninth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, 
that the Justice was present the whole time, and no other 
person ; that the questions were read to him by the Jus- 
tice, and the answers by him were taken down ; and in the 
deponent's own language, "that no suggestions or expla- 
nations about the subject matter of this deposition, were 
ever made to him." 

Henry M. Kelly. 
New London County, ss. Salem, sworn to this 27th 
day of December, A. D. 1842, 

Before me, Levi H. Goddard, Justice of the Peace. 
(A true copy.) Attest, Richard Bliss, Clerk C. C. Pleas. 
Henry J. Newton called : I have had a number of conver- 
sations with Kelly; heard him frequently state that he 



48 



would injure Mr. Whittlesey all he could; at Mr. Pratt s 
he introduced the subject ; he said that the old man, mean- 
ing Mr. Whittlesev, has advised Mr. Pratt so and so ; be- 
fore this advice ; he would have done any thing for him; 
now the old man will be sorry he ever said it ; at another 
time in the shop, he stated that he believed the old man as 
wicked a man as any out of hell, and he should do all he 
could to prove him such ; Kelly has often visited the shop 
till within a few months, and has been in the habit of ex- 
pressing his feelings to me ; he said all would have been 
still hacl it not been for what the old man had said about 
him to Pratt ; now it should go through, as he had good 
hackers ; said one of them a while previous spoke of enter- 
ing complaints Whittlesey; he, Kelly, told the person he 
had better let it alone, but now it should go ahead. 

Theophilus Allyn testified : at the last camp meeting, I 
heard Kelly say he would injure the old man, meaning Mr. 
Whittlesey, all he could. Not on minutes— Don't you re- 
member it, Henry, down by the bars by the camp ground? 
(turning to Henry Kelly, > you can't deny it- 

Remarks.— li. M. Kelly, in his testimony before the 
committee, introduces a very foolish falsehood, in laboring 
to prove that I wished him to go and testify that he was a 
sworn clerk ; if this had been true, it would have gone to 
show that it was the informality of his not being sworn 
that I feared, and not the altering of the depositions. But 
what will the reader think, when I inform him, that clerks 
of this description are never sworn, nor does the law re- 
nuire it How very foolish and insipidly stupid must I 
have been, to have endeavored to induce him to swear to 
a foolish lie? Although I will acknowlege were 1 base 
enough to be guilty of subornation of perjury, I know of no 
one. (were it not for the fear of his being impeached,) to 
whom I should sooner apply, or with whom I should feel 
more sure of meeting with success ; he being a man who 
has confessed himself guilty of burglary, and who, I am 
prepared to prove, has been guilty of forgery ; a man whom 
no one knows, as he came into this county under one 
name, and has since assumed another ; and then, it the 



49 

reader will take the trouble to look at his deposition, they 
will perceive that if he testified truly before the committee, 
he must have sworn falsely in his deposition, for he swears 
that my moral character is good ; when, if what he states 
is true, he must have known it to be for otherwise. Will 
the church deal with him, as the deposition was given 
long after the alleged alterations. 

Took up charge second. — Improper familiarities with 
females, contrary to christian and ministerial character. 

Specification First. In walking in New London with, 
and treating with liquor a married woman. Objected to 
the entire charge by the counsel for the defendant. Objec- 
tion overruled by the majority of the committee. 

John Latham called to testify. I was in New London 
six years ago this spring ; I went into Mr. Nathan Beek- 
with's store ; there I saw a gentleman and lady ; the gen- 
tleman called for a glass of wine; the wine was presented 
to the gentleman ; he presented it to the lady ; she drank, 
then she handed the tumbler back to the gentleman, and 
he drank what was left; he paid for the wine; he then 
went out of the door ; and then I discovered who they 
were ; Mr. B. asked who they were ; 1 said it was our 
minister from Salem ; one of them was Mr. John Whittle- 
sey, and the other Wm. Brown's wife, of Salem ; they then 
walked down by the City Hotel. 

Cross Examined : — Did not know them in the store on 
account of their position ; I was near the door ; knew them 
when they were coming toward the door ; Mr. Beekwith 
waited on them to the wine ; I heard him ask for wine ; 
am not an enemy to Mr. Whittlesey ; am a well-wisher to 
him ; I then lived in Salem ; was not a member of the M. 
E. Church. 

Rebutting Testimony. April 28th, 1845. Testimony, 
a letter from Mary E. Brown, read by the clerk as fol- 
lows : — "Rev. Mr. Whittlesey : Sir, having heard it reported, 
that you once locked arms with me, and walked the streets of 
New London ; and that you treated me with liquor. This 

5 



50 

is to certify that the foregoing report is a base and infa- 
mous fabrication, without the shadow of truth. 

Mary E. Brown.' 7 

Orramel Whittlesey called to testify. Mary E. Brown 
is the wife of Wm. Brown, formerly of Salem ; moved to 
New London this spring. 

Remarks. — The reader will here observe that specifica- 
tion eighth in charge first, and specification first in charge 
second, the one being for walking with, and treating 
with liquor a married lady; and the other for denying 
that I had so done, are all embraced in the following tes- 
timony, and all the evidence adduced on both specifica- 
tions is there presented. Specifications not sustained. 

Note. — As Mary A. Pratt had gave two depositions in 
my favor, I have taken the liberty to insert them both 
although but one was used at the trial. It will be per- 
ceived that they were given long after any of the alleged 
offences were pretendedly committed. 

Note. — As the charges and specifications were many of 
them vague and indefinite, without names or dates, I ap- 
plied to R. M. Lewis, my accuser for names and dates. 
The spirit he was of, may be judged by the following 
answer received in writing, two days before the trial. 

" Sir, I shall give vou no names or dates at present. 

R. M. Lewis." 

Specification Second. Charge Second. In entering 
a room where a young lady was in bed, and getting on to • 
the bed with her. 

Admitted a written testimony from Mary A. Pratt, who 
testifies and says, that Mr. Whittlesey came to my father's 
house one evening and requested me'togo home with him, 
as Mrs. Whittlesey was gone from home, and he said that 
Hannah was alone, and he wished me to stay all night 
with Hannah, and I accordingly went and slept with Han- 
nah in the N. E. room. In the morning Hannah got up 
and went to the barn as I supposed to take care of the cat- 
tle, as she usually did. After she went out, Mr. Whittle- 
sey came into the room where I was in bed, and lay down 



51 

on the bed. Just as he lay down Hannah returned from 
the barn ; and as she came round the corner of the house 
I heard her, and I supposed he did ; however, he left the 
room immediately. I then got up and went home, and I 
told my mother what had happened, and told her I should 
never stay in that house again with Mr. Whittlesey and 
Hannah. 

And he has since that time attempted to put his hand in 
my bosom several times. Mary A. Pratt, 

Question. About what time did he come to your bed ? 

Answer. About seven or eight years ago. 

Question. Was he undressed ? 

Answer. He had his stockings and pantaloons on. 

Took up Specification Fourth — The last part of the 
former written testimony, viz., "and he has, since that 
time, attempted to put his hand into my bosom several 
times. 

Question. About what time was the last insult offered 
you by Brother Whittlesey ? 

Answer. About five or six years ago, and he has offered 
improper conduct at other times, near the time the other 
insult was offered. 

Rebutting Testimony. Justin Rathbone of the M. E. 
Church called. Some time last February, I was going up 
to the school house to a prayer meeting ; I went the turn- 
pike and called at Brother Pratt's ; I think I fell in with 
Brother Tuttie before I got to Pratt's ; we stopped there 
and talked a few minutes; all that were there went to 
meeting except Mary A. Pratt and myself; I said I did 
not know whether it was best for me to go, as there was 
so much conversation on other things besides religion; 
Mary Abby replied she knew there were many stories ; 
she was sorry that that story about her and Brother Whit- 
tlesey ever went out ; she did not think she ought to bo 
blamed for Henry Kelly's stories. 

Cross Examination. Never had any conversation with 
her at any other time afterwards ; the report was about 



52 

Elder Whittlesey's going into the room; said she did not 
say it as it had gone out into the world. 

Question. Did she pretend to say that stories were not 
true ? 

Answer. I cant tell how she meant to be understood. 

Direct examination resumed. A conversation took 
place at Brother Pratt's before, and Mary Abby said she 
would tell me how it was ; she said she staid at Father 
Whittlesey's house one night; in the morning Hannah 
Miller got up; afterwards Father Whittlesey came in there 
and sat down on the side of the bed and felt of her pulse ; 
she said that was all that he did to her. 

Cross Examination resumed. Cant tell positively 
when conversation took place, but it was before the other, 
in the day time ; Mary Abby's mother-in-law was present ; 
there might have been others. 

The deposition of Mary Abby Pratt of Salem, in New London 
county, taken according to the foregoing commission. 

To the first direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that she has lived 
in Salem twenty-three years, and is twenty-three years old. Belongs 
to the Methodist denomination of Christians. 

To the second direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that she has 
known Mr. Whittlesey, the plaintiff, as long as she can remember any 
thing, and has lived within a few rods of him. 

To the third direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that the reputa- 
tion of said Whittlesey, in respect to moral character, has been good ; 
that she never heard any unfavorable reports against his chastity, from 
any reputable source. His standing in the community is good, also. 

To the first indirect interrogatory deponent saith, she is informed by 
the magistrate, that her father, Joshua Pratt, is named in the commis- 
sion, and is the only one of her family therein. 

To the second indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, both. 

To the third indirect interrogatory deponent saith, throughout the 
town in which she resides. 

To the fourth indirect interrogatory deponent saith, she knows no- 
thing about it in other towns. 

To the fifth indirect interrogatory deponent saith, none worthy of 
credit before that time ; none from any but the lowest class in the com- - 
munity. 

To the sixth indirect interrogatory deponent saith, she has once be- 
fore. 

To the seventh indirect interrogatory deponent saith, there have 
been none. 

To the eighth indirect interrogatory deponent saith, at the house of 



53 

Joshua Pratt. No person was present or about there, any of the time 
while she was testifying, but the Justice who took her deposition. 
Neither the plaintiff, or any of his family or agents were there, or about 
there, any of the time. 

To the ninth indirect interrogatory deponent saith, the Justice was 
present all the time of taking her deposition ; that the questions were 
read to her, and her answers taken down by the Justice ; that no other 
questions, suggestions, or explanations about the subject matter of this 
deposition, were made to her while testifying, or at any other time, 
and that her answers were taken down in her own language. 

Mary A. Pratt. 

New London County, ss. Salem, sworn to this 8th day of February, 
A. D. 1843, before me 

Levi H. Goddard, Justice of the Peace. 
A true Copy. Attest, Richard Bliss, Clerk Common Pleas. 

Direct Interrogatories. — 1st. How long have you lived in the town 
where you now reside, and to what religious denomination do you be- 
long 1 

2d Direct Interrogatory. How longhave you known Mr. Whittlesey, 
the plaintiff, and how near to him do you or have you lived, and what 
is and has been the reputation of said Whittlesey, in respect to moral 
character, and especially his character for chastity, and his standing 
in the community l 

Cross Interrogatories. — 1st. What is your age ? 

2d Ci~oss Interrogatory: — Are you in any way related to the plain- 
tiff or his family ; are you, or have you ever been ; if yea, how! 

3d Cross Interrogatory. — Have you ever heard the plaintiff's char- 
acter for chastity, spoken of; have you never heard any reports un- 
favorable to it 1 

4th Cross Interrogatory. — Has he, or any one in his behalf, applied 
to you in relation to your testimony on this subject ; have the director 
cross interrogatories, or any of them, or the substance of them, been in 
any way communicated to you before they are now communicated to 
you by the magistrate, at the time of taking this deposition ; if yea, by 
whom 1 

5th Cross Interrogatory . — Who were present at the time of giving 
this deposition! 

The deposition of Mary Abby Pratt, taken according to the fore- 
going commission : — First direct interrogatory, she says, I have always 
lived in Salem ; I belong to the Methodist denomination of Christians. 
Second direct interrogatory, she says, I have known him ever since I 
could remember, and have lived within one hundred rods of his dwel- 
ling, and now about twenty rods. Third direct interrogatory, she says, 
it is good in every particular ; he is beloved and respected by all chris- 
tians with whom 1 am acquainted ; he is what is called a revivalist, and 
hundreds have been added to the church through his instrumentality. 

First indirect interrogatory, she says, I am now twenty-one years of 

*5 



54 

age. Second indirect interrogatory, she says, I am not, nor am I in 
any way connected with them. Third indirect interrogatory, she says, 
I have heard it spoken of often, and I have never heard it spoken 
against ; I have heard that he has been talked about by M'Gregory, 
and that he was sued in Springfield ; but I have never seen a person 
that believed the stories that he had reported about him. Fourth in- 
direct interrogatory, she says, Mr. Whittlesey asked me if 1 was will- 
ing to give my deposition in favor of his chastity and morality, and I 
told him T was. The questions or their substance was never commu- 
nicated to me until now. Fifth indirect interrogatory she says, none 
but the justice and clerk. Mary A. Pratt. 

New London County, ss. sworn to this 14th day of March, A. D; 
184*2, before me, James Lamb, Justice of the Peace. 

Joshua Pratt called. Mary Abby was baptized, I should think, 
about three or four years ago, by Brother Whittlesey; I know not 
whether by her own request, or not ; can't say if she has partaken of 
the sacrament from him. 

Ann Minard called. I have heard Mary Abby speak in favor of 
Brother Whiulesey ; of the meeting's being very spiritual at the revi- 
val ; she hated to have him gone, as the meetings were more spiritual 
when he was present ; conversation about three years ago. 

Henry P. Whittlesey. During the revival, about three years ago, 
I was in at Brother Pratt's one evening; on Sunday evening I think ; 
my father was there ; Mr. Pratt's family, and many of the members of 
the church ; I should think the room nearly full ; my father "fl as 
telling how the stories about him had originated ; Mary A. Pratt was 
there at the time of his speaking ; she stood her back toward him ; it 
might be three feet from him ; I sat by the side of my father ; after his 
remarks were done, M. A. Pratt turned round to him and said ; "If all 
the world turn against you Father Whittlesey, yet I will not ; you 
never heard of my saying a word against you in the world, nor you 
never will ; I esteem you as my best friend ; there is no one I think 
as much of except my own natural father ; I don't know what I should 
have done had it not been for you." I state the conversation as near as 
I can recollect. 

Hannah Miller called. Mary A. Pratt always spoke to me in high 
terms of Brother Whittlesey ; often heard her speak of him ; she has 
been at our house a great deal ; I have lived with Brother Whittlesey 
twenty-seven years; live there now; I recollect of her coming and 
staying all night with me about eleven years ago, I should say. I re- 
member the time Mrs. Whittlesey was out of health ; I carried her to 
Colchester ; M. A. Pratt has never staid at our house all night since ; 
has been there often. 

Justin Rathbone re-called by request of committee. I understood 
that Mary A. Pratt thought that Kelly had made the stories in ques- 
tion. 

Cross Examined : — I suppose from what she said, she meant to 
deny the truth of those stories. 



55 

Deposition from Mary J. Williams introduced, and so much of it as 
is applicable to this case here inserted. I have heard M. A. Pratt, 
within three years, speak in the highest terms of praise of Mr. Whit- 
tlesey ; heard her say since that time, she had rather hear him preach 
than any one she knew of; I have heard her frequently within three 
years speak of his kindness to her when she was sick ; I heard her say 
she did not know what she should have done, if it had not been for him ; 
she said he used to come in and cheer her up ; I have also within three 
years heard her say, there was no one she thought more of, except her 
own father, than she did of him. I do not, nor neither have I for some 
considerable time believed Henry M. Kelly to be on par with man- 
kind in general for truth and veracity. Mary J. Williams. 

Windham County, ss. Windham, April t 30, 1845, personally appeared 
before me, Mary J. Williams, and made 'solemn oath, to the truth of 
the facts contained in the foregoing instrument. 

Elisha Williams, Justice of the Peace. 

The reader, will here notice that the foregoing specification, viz., 
for entering a room, &c, and specification fifth of charge second, 
are considered as one, and all the evidence on both specifications is 
here adduced ; the alleged offences, being ostensibly committed upon 
the same person. 

Remarks : — I would state, with regard to the testimony of Mary A. 
Pratt, that at the time she was at my house, and staid all night, which 
was eleven years ago, she was a mere child, between thirteen and 
fourteen years of age ; disagreeable and loathsome in her appearance, 
and wasted with disease to a mere skeleton, as all my neighbors 
know, and which fact I can bring ample testimony to prove. She 
was supposed to be in a consumption, and I had not the least idea she 
would live but a very short time ; she had a mother-in-law of whose 
treatment she complained most bitterly ; not only to my family, but to 
others. As Mrs. Whittlesey was gone, she came to stay with Hannah. 
Before retiring to rest, we knelt at the family altar, and there I hum- 
bly besought the Almighty, if consistent with his will, to restore the 
child to health ; but above all things to prepare her for that great and 
lasting change, which she so soon must meet. We then retired to 
rest. It was late in the morning before I awoke. And I will here 
i state, as I expect to meet it at the judgment seat of heaven, that I 
have not the slightest recollection of going into her room at all ; and 
I sincerely regret that under a promise of marriage to this same 
Henry M. Kelly, who it appears from the testimony, had promised to 
do me all the hurt he could, I say, I regret that she should have been 
induced to have testified falsely before the committee. 

How little did my enemies realize, that the Almighty God of hea- 
ven and earth, has a care over his children ; that he stands by them 
in the hour of danger and trial. That out of their own mouths will 
he confound the enemies of those who put their trust in him. I trera- 



56 

ble, however, when I think of the situation in which they have vol 
untarily placed themselves in their anxiety to injure me. But I feel that 
I can say in the language of holy writ. " Rejoice not against me ! O 
mine enemy, when I fall, I shall arise. When I sit in darkness, the 
Lord shall be a light unto me." Micah, seventh chap, eighth verse. 

In closing these remarks, I will say, that I had felt it to be my 
duty, to watch over M. A. Pratt, for her good ; and to advise her 
when asked so to do, from an injunction received from her dying mo- 
ther, in the following words ; first, " I charge you, to be kind, and 
see to my motherless children." This was said as she lay dying. 
She said to my wife, a few days before her death, in speaking of the 
girl, that was there, " You will see" said she,' 4 sister Whittlesey, that 
although Mr. Pratt is kind to me, that every thing will go to wreck, as 
soon as I am gone." I have endeavored to follow the injunctions of 
the dying mother. T have faithfully warned her whenever I have 
seen her in danger ; I feel that my mission is filled, as I w T ould have it 
filled for me in change of circumstances. And my prayer is that she 
may repent of this, her dreadful wickedness, and be saved in heaven 
eternally. Charge not sustained. 

The reader will perceive that after all these enormities, that M. A. 
Pratt testifies, were committed upon her person, she positively 
swears, in her deposition, hereunto annexed, that my character 
for chastity and morality is good in every particular, and that in 
saying this, she not only expresses her own opinion, but the opinion 
of the public. Now unless she has perjured herself, she testified 
falsely before the committee. There is no dodging it. Will the 
church look to it, or will they retain such members ? 

Specification Sixth. Charge Second. In sitting up to improper 
hours in the evening with women reported to be of bad character. 

Belinda Gates testified : I was called on to go to Mr. Elias Thomp- 
son's to watch with his wife at the time she died ; Mrs. Randal watch- 
ed with me at the time ; Mrs. Thompson's son went after Mr. Whit- 
tlesey to come and pray with them ; he came and prayed with her, and 
sung, and went out into the kitchen ; Mrs. Randal and I were left 
alone with the patient — the rest of the family in the kitchen ; some- 
where about 9 o'clock the family retired to rest, except their two 
daughters; Mr. Whittlesey and those two sat up in the kitchen till 11 
o'clock ; at this time Mrs. Randall grew impatient, and wondered why 
he sat up with these two girls till that time of night ; I told the girls 
they had better watch with their mother, and let us go to bed, or else 
they go to bed ; they then went to bed ; Mary Thompson and Rosana 
were their names ; they both have had a child ; the oldest before that 
time — the youngest since. 

Cross Examined. Quest. How long since this occurrence I Ans. 
I cannot tell. Did not go in the second time to pray with the woman ; 
I have since given something of a deposition in his favor ; I did not 
think his sitting up a crime ; I since gave a deposition to Mr. Park 



57 

against Mr. Whittlesey ; never said my conscience condemned me for 
giving a deposition to Mr. Park against Mr. Whittlesey ; Mr. Park 
merely wanted public opinion ; no other person was up but Mr. Whit- 
tlesey and girls and watchers ; Mr. Thompson went to bed at 9 o'clock, 
and his son went home ; never heard any person speak very favorably 
of the chastity of those girls ; young men and ladies generally did not 
associate with them. 

Belinda Gates called again by counsel for complainant. She testi- 
fies and says she was at Mr. Thompson's the night his wife died ; 
don't recollect that Mr. Whittlesey was there ; was present when the 
corpse was laid out ; went with E. Thompson, Jr. to Samuel Holmes' 
to borrow a mourning dress of Betsy Holmes. 

Mrs. Ruth Randal. A written testimony was read by the clerk. 
11 This may certify, that I was at Mr. Elias Thompson's at the time of 
Mrs. Thompson's last sickness, and watched with her, and Rev. Mr. 
John Whittlesey was there at that time, and sat up with Mr. Thomp- 
son's two daughters till 11 o'clock at night ; Miss Belinda Gates was 
with me at that time." 

Rebutting Testimony, Specification Sixth. Charge Second. Elias 
Thompson testified : I was sent for to go to my father's ; mother was 
sick — dangerously so ; she requested Brother Whittlesey should be 
sent for to come and see her, and pray with her ; she said she was 
sick, and had got to die without a hope in the blessed Saviour ; she 
was not willing to die thus ; by request, about eight in the evening, I 
went for Brother Whittlesey ; I found him in the meeting house where 
he was preaching that evening ; told him what I wanted ; took him in 
my waggon and went home ; he spoke with mother, and prayed for her, 
and then sang a hymn ; afterwards sat down in the room ; then went 
into the kitchen ; Brother Whittlesey was sick with the head ache ; bath- 
ed it with camphor ; should think it was eleven o'clock before we got 
home ; I went to bed with him, and next morning went home with him ; 
she died about four o'clock in the morning ; died before we came home, 
the 24th March, about thirteen years ago ; father lived about two miles 
from here. 

Cross Examined : — Have no recollection that Miss Gates and Mrs. 
Randall watched with my mother that night ; had three sisters at 
home ; did not go for Whittlesey more than once ; Whittlesey was sent 
for two or three days previously in the day time, but did not stay but 
one night at father's during my mother's sickness. 

Additional testimony of Elias Thompson. There were no watchers 
as I recollect of; lived about two miles from my father's ; was there 
every night while my mother was sick ; Brother Whittlesey was there 
but twice ; one day came there and took dinner, and went to Bozrah 
on business ; were watchers some nights ; have no recollection of 
Miss Gates being there at any time ; cant tell who laid out the corpse 
of my mother ; should think it not possible for Miss Gates to be there 
and 1 not know it. 



58 

Hannah Miller testified : 1 heard Miss Belinda Gates say that she 
gave a deposition to Esquire Park ; she said it had kept her awake 
nights, she felt so bad about it ; she said she knew nothing against Mr. 
Whittlesey ; she did not know the meaning of the words contained in 
the interrogatories. 

Sarah Whittlesey testified : The conversation I had with Miss Gates 
was when Hannah Miller was present ; we had been to the school 
house to meeting ; she gave her deposition to Mr. Park, and she was 
afTraid there was something in it which might militate against Mr. 
Whittlesey ; that she had no intention to say any thing to militate 
against him, for she knew nothing against him; she said Esquire Park 
asked her if she had not heard evil reports against him ; she told him 
she had, but they had come from his political and Masonic opponents, 
and therefore she did not credit them ; she said also, that night she 
could not sleep for fear she might have said something that might be 
construed against Mr. Whittlesey ; there was one question she did not 
know the definition of his language, and she wanted to see Esquire 
Park ; Mr. Whittlesey, she said, she wanted to see ; he was not at 
home ; she said she came to see us as she could not sleep. 

Levi H. Goddard testified : I took Miss Gates' deposition in the 
winter of '43 in favor of Mr. Whittlesey ; not as clear as some that I 
took ; she said she did not understand the meaning of some of the in- 
terrogatories ; I explained. 

Charge Fourth, Persuading certain persons to testify to what was 
not true in fact. 

George Walden called : Mr. Whittlesey came to my house ; I lived 
in a little shop of his above here ; with that paper in his hand, he 
spoke to me, and said, here Warge, I want you to take that paper and 
learn it by heart ; I took the paper ; he said, I've wrote it pretty plain, 
I guess you can read it ; I should think it was about the first of Au- 
gust a year ago ; afterwards, he said he thought he should have a 
case in the next September court, and I should be of some consequence 
to him if I could learn the contents of the paper : he called me to the 
court ; I did not agree to testify to what was in the paper ; I told him 
a part of it I could not testify to ; he did not urge me very hard to tes- 
tify ; I went to New London, but was not called upon. 
The paper read by the Clerk : — 

I was in Norwich in the latter part of March, 1842, during the ses- 
sion of the Superior Court, where I saw Orson H. Wood, at which 
time a settlement took place between him and John Whittlesey ; I 
there heard Wood propose to Whittlesey to exchange a piano forte that 
belonged to his wife, which was then rented out at one Chapman's, in 
Tolland, for a piano forte which was at oneComstock's, in Tolland, be- 
longing to Henry P. Whittlesey ; Mr. Whittlesey informed him that if 
his son Henry was willing to make the exchange, he should have no 
objection ; Mr. Whittlesey said he would talk with his son and let him 
know when he came up to Ellington ; Mr. Whittlesey said that he had 



59 
v 

heard that he, Wood, had given a hill of sale of his wife's piano forte 
to his father ; Wood said he only made it over to his father, so that 
in case he should not succeed in his seed business as he expected, and 
not get the pay for his seeds as he expected, that his creditors could 
not take his wife's piano forte for debt ; but, said he, my father does 
not, nor did he ever own it, and, said he, I have my father's order in 
my pocket, to take the piano forte when I please from Chapman's, and 
presented the order ; some time next month I was at Ellington with 
Mr. Whittlesey, and I then heard the exchange of the piano fortes 
talked over again by Wood and Whittlesey ; Mr. Whittlesey informed 
Wood that he had talked with his son on the subject of the exchange, 
who said he was willing, provided that Wood owned the piano forte ; 
Wood again told Mr. Whittlesey that the piano was his own, and that 
his father never owned it, and the exchange was made ; Wood said 
he meant to put all his land and property into his father's hands, 
and professedly work for him ; I understand the game, said he. 

Cross Examined : — Question. To what part did you object ? The 
conversation about the piano forte. I did not hear at Norwich, neither 
did hear about the bill of sale. Did you not solicit the privilege of 
testifying in the case ? No, sir. Did you not request Brother Whit- 
tlesey to write this out in your presence, and did he not so do 1 I 
knew nothing about it till it was brought into my house. 

Polly Wald en testified : Recollect very well Mr. Whittlesey coming 
into our house, with a paper, written, in his hand, and handing it to 
Mr. Walden, and asking him if he could not learn that, and recite it 
in court ; he wished him to learn every word of it, and recite it in 
court if he was called to New London. After Mr. Whittlesey went 
out, I asked him what it was, he said, a deposition, and should not tes- 
tify to it, but still he went to New London ; do not recollect that Mr. 
Walden told Mr. Whittlesey, that he should not testify to it at the time. 
Cross Examined. Question. Was there the appearance of secrecy ? 
Answer. There was something I did not understand about it ; I 
did not know of Mr. Whittlesey at any time persuading Mr. Walden 
to testify. 

George Walden again called. Mr. Whittlesey did not, as I recol- 
lect, have any conversation afterwards with me, more than asking me 
if 1 had learned my lesson ; I should think like as not, that Mr. Whit- 
tlesey and I had had a conversation as to what I could testify about 
the settlement between him and Wood ; I was summoned by Mr. 
Whittlesey ; Mr. Minard read the summons ; Mr. Whittlesey tendered 
me the money ; seventy-five cents I believe ; Mr. Weever and Mr. 
Lewis came to me to ask me if I would come out here and testify. 

Nathan Schofield testified. Four years ago this summer, one of 
my wife's sons worked for Mr. Whittlesey at Ellington, in a garden ; 
the March following Mr. Whittlesey came to my house and inquired of 
my wife where I was ; she said in the woods chopping. He came to 
me and said, I have got into difficulty with Mr. Wood at Ellington ; 



60 

you and your boys know the circumstances, and if you will assist me I 
will pay you a certain sum of money, more wages than you can make 
at farming or any other business ; I did not wish to meddle with it ; 
he repeated it the second time, I want you to follow my directions, and 
what the boys have not revealed to you I'll direct you ; the court sat 
at Norwich soon after ; boys and I went there ; were examined before 
Esquire Foster in the evening ; next day, before the court came in, 
news came that Whittlesey and Wood were about settling ; he offered 
m6 $75, and the boys $15 each, to testify to what he told us ; some 
questions I did not tell ; I should think that he wanted me to testify to 
what I did not know to be true ; he told me the bargain between him 
and Wood, and wanted me to testify to it ; I had no other knowledge 
of it than what he told me ; he wanted me to tell this as my testimony. 

Cross Examined. Question. Have you not given a deposition to 
Mr. Whittlesey in favor of his moral character, &c, since that. 

Answer. I have given a deposition since that in favor of Mr. Whit- 
tlesey, in regard to stories about him. 

Rebutting Testimony. Took up Charge Fourth. Gurdon 0. Wil- 
liams called. Mr. Schofield stated to me, that Mr. Whittlesey offered 
him fifty dollars to swear falsely, and his sons each a suit of clothes ; 
the time, I think, two years ago last July ; the general report is that 
Schofield's character for truth and veracity is not good. 

Nathan Minard testified. The character of Schofield, in regard to 
truth and veracity, is not considered on a par with mankind in general. 
I heard Mr. Schofield complaining of Mr. Whittlesey ; Mr. Whittle- 
sey promised to make him good for his trouble, if it cost him fifty dol- 
lars and the boys' clothes. 

David G. Otis testified that his character for truth and veracity was 
very bad. 

The deposition of George Walden of Salem, in New London county, 
taken according to the foregoing commission. 

To the first direct interrogatory the deponent saith, he has lived in 
Salem about fourteen years ; that his occupation is that of a farmer ; 
that he is forty-one years old ; that he holds no office, nor has he held 
any ; that he belongs to the Methodist denomination of Christians. 
To the second direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that he has 
known Mr. Whittlesey the plaintiff, fourteen or fifteen years, most of 
that time lived within a fourth part of a mile of him. To the third di- 
rect interrogatory the deponent saith, that the reputation of said Whit- 
tlesey in respect to moral character in community has been good in all 
respects ; his chastity not disputed that I have ever heard ; his stand- 
ing in community equal to any in town. 

To the first indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, none. To the 
second indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, that he intended to 
express the opinion of the community together with his own. To the 
third indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, that he intended to 
speak of the plaintiff's general reputation for chastity throughout the 



61 

town. To the fourth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, that 
he knows the reputation of the plaintiff in New London, Montviile and 
Bozrah, for chastity to be good ; and he farther saith, that his means of 
knowledge are derived from the frequent calls on the plaintiff to preach, 
and to attend funerals and marriage ceremonies in those places, where 
the deponent has heard him, and knows the favorable reception given 
him there. To the fifth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, that 
he never heard any imputations on the character of the plaintiff in re- 
gard to chastity prior to July, 1811, nor ever heard it doubted before 
that time. To the sixth indirect interrogatory he saith, he has. To 
the seventh indirect interrogatory he saith, none whatever. To the 
eighth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, at the house of Joshua 
Pratt. That no person whatever save the magistrate, who took the 
deposition was present during the taking, nor was the plaintiff, or any 
of his family or agents about there while the same was taking. To the 
ninth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, that the justice has 
been present during the time of taking this deposition ; that he read 
the questions to him in their order, and took down his answers in wri- 
ting. No explanations or suggestions were made to him at any time 
about the same, and that his answers were taken down in his own lan- 
guage. George Walden. 

New London County, ss. Salem, sworn to this 27th day of Decem- 
ber, A. D. 1842, before me Levi H. Goddard, Justice of the Peace. 
A true copy. Attest, Richard Bliss, Clerk C. C. Pleas. 

James Gardner, testified that his character for truth and veracity, 
was not on par with men in general ; a common report. 

1). \\ Otis, testifies, when Schofield lived in this town, he told me„ 
Elder Whittlesey, promised him twenty-five dollars to testify in court 
for him. 

Orramel Whittlesey, testifies, George Walden spoke to my father, 
when I was present and wanted to be carried to New London, to go* 
a fishing, he said he knew something of use to Henry P. Whittlesey. 
Walden, said if he could see Henry, he would get him to take it down 
in writing ; should think Walden's character not good for truth. 

Henry P. Whittlesey, testified, Mr. Walden came to me and said ; 
I want to go to New London ; I know something of use to you ; I want 
you to summon me. I summoned him. I know not any thing of the 
writing. 

Sarah Whittlesey, testified, I recollect that George Walden, report- 
ed that he knew something about Mr. Whittlesey's settling with 
Wood. George Walden said, I may forget ; he wished that Mr. 
Whittlesey, would write it down. When he mentioned what he 
knew, Mr. Whittlesey would write a sentence, and read it to Walden, 
and ask him if it was correct. Charge not sustained. 

Remarks, — It is hardly necessary to say much upon the foregoing 
change. It however goes to prove the malice of my persecutors, to 
bring a man forward who had committed an offence, for which an in- 

6 



62 



famous punishment had been inflicted, who is notorious for hia drunken- 
ness, profanity, and falsehood, and they knowing his character to be 
such, to convict a brother in the church, on the charge of subornation 
of perjury, would only be done by men combined to crush another even 
at the expense of truth and common honesty. 

But in all this, that same kind arm which has hitherto supported and 
sustained me, defends and saves me harmless still. Let any one examine 
the testimony, and they will find that Schofield told no less than three 
different stories about it ; first that I agreed to give him fifty dollars, 
and clothes for the boys ; to another that I agreed to give him twenty- 
five dollars, and lastly testifies that I, agreed to give him seventy-five 
dollars ; and then the whole town might have been brought to lm- 

P6 As to' WaWen : *I had no concern in the case of which he speaks ; 
I was only a witness in the case, and had no further concern in it. 
Walden requested me to write down his knowledge upon the subject, 
and I did so ; he however never was called upon on as a witness. 

Took up Specification Fifth.-Charge Second. Sitting up to im- 
proper hours in the evening with young ladies at Brother rTatt ^s 

Hannah Pratt testified : Mr. Whittlesey used to come to our house 
and frequently stay till after 11 o'clock in the evening with young la- 
dies that we e boarding with me ; had several boarders, two Misses 
Stebns Jane M. Collins, Jonathan Park; he used to come in, and 
went through the kitchen into the room with the young lad.es ; he was 
there two evenings with Miss Collins till 9 o'clock at night ; these two 
evenings the two Misses Steb.ns were at Mr. 0. Whittlesey's prac- 
tising on the piano forte ; at 9 o'clock they returned, and Mr. Whittle- 

"SSfSSS: Ques. How long ago did this .take placej An, 
About five or six years. I should think Mr. Park often took out his 
watch and showed it to me before he went to bed, and it would be 
after 1 o'clock. Que*. Where was Mr. Pratt at this time? Ans 
Out in the store with Mr. Park : these two evenings, he went home at 
9 o'clock Mary Bradford did not reside with me at the time of Elder 
Whittlesey sitting up late at my house. Charge net ■ ^^ 

Note.— For rebutting testimony on this charge I would reter the 
reader to the depositions of the whole family, with the exception of 
Mr T Pratt, yiz.? Joshua Pratt, M. A. Pratt, and Caroline Pratt, who 
1 have known, had there been any thing improper in my conduct a 
their house, where the alleged offence was pretendedly committed. It 
S true I did not take the deposition of Mrs. Pratt , as .he mj . a w.man 
who had been unfortunate before her marriage, and I thought her not 
I proper person from whom to obtain a deposition with .regard to 
ch5X! She seems to be particularly unfortunate likewise m her 
uVstnZy-for she testifies that Park would take out his watch and 

how it y to her, and it would be after 11 °Vlock-and w^ .en asked 
where Mr. Pratt was at that time, she says ou to ^ store withMr. 
Park. Now how he could be out at the store at 11 o clock, and still in 



63 

the house with her showing his watch, is truly a mystery which peo- 
ple would be much gratified to hear solved. It is true that she endea- 
vored to explain by saying that there were two evenings when I went 
home at 9 o'clock ; but here is another mystery — how could Mr. Park 
take out his watch on those two evenings and show her that it was af- 
ter 11 o'clock when I went home, when it was only 9 when I left. 
Will the church look to it 1 

The deposition of Caroline Pratt, formerly of Salem, now of New 
London in the county of New London, taken according to the forego- 
ing commission : 

To the first direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that she is twen- 
ty-three years old, and belongs to the Methodist denomination of 
Christians. 

To the second direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that she has 
known said Whittlesey fifteen years. 

To the third direct interrogatory the deponent saith, that the gene- 
ral reputation of said Whittlesey as a moral man, is good ; knows no- 
thing against his character for chastity ; she derives her knowledge on 
that subject, from the fact that she lived several years in the same 
place, and that they both lived in Salem, where she acquired her 
knowledge about him ; she further states, that many of them who have 
testified against him in Salem, are his political enemies. 

To the first indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, her father, 
Joshua Pratt, and Mary A_bby Pratt, her sister, are the only ones. 
To the second indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, both. 
To the third indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, so far as her 
knowledge extends, good throughout the town in which she resides. 

To the fourth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, she knows 
his reputation is good in the town of Salem, and derives her knowledge 
from residence there. 

To the fifth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, formerly their 
intercourse was quite intimate, and was of a social and religious na- 
ture. 

To the sixth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, none before 
that time to her knowledge. 

To the seventh indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, that she 
has once before. 

To the eighth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, none. 
To the tenth indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, neither the 
plaintiff, or any one on his behalf, was present any of the time while 
she was testifying, or about there. 

To the eleventh indirect interrogatory the deponent saith, that the 
magistrate was present all the time while taking her deposition ; that 
the questions were read to her by the magistrate, and her answers 
taken down by him, and no other questions, suggestions, or explana- 
tions about the subject matter of this deposition were made to her 
while testifying, or at any other time, and that her answers were taken 
down in her own language, Caroline M. Pratt, 



64 

New London County ss., New London, sworn to this first day of 
February, 1843, before me, 

Levi H. Goddard, Justice of the Peace. 

A true Copy. Attest, Richard Bliss, Clerk C. C. Pleas. 

Fifth Specification — Charge First. In writing to Josiah Ellsworth, 
of Ketch Mills, East Windsor, that Henry M. Kelly had said that Or- 
son H. Wood, of Ellington, had become a pious man, and had joined 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and likewise that H. M. Kelly, said 
that he staid with O. H. Wood, three or four days and had a very 
spiritual time with him, and often quoted Brother Ellsworth and Bro- 
ther Wood as equally pious. 

An extract from a letter written by J. Whittlesey to Josiah Ellsworth, 
dated February 19th, 1844, also a copy of the original letter from Bro- 
ther Whittlesey to Brother Ellsworth, attested by Nathan Minard, Esq. 
as a true copy. 

Here the letter was read. 

Counsel for defendant offered to prove the contents of the letter so 
far as regarded H. M. Kelly, to be true, and likewise offered to prove 
that said Kelly had been guilty of forgery. Overruled. Leave not 
granted. 

Charge not sustained. 

Rebutting Testimony. — Justin Rathbone testified : Soon after Kel- 
ly returned from the north ; he said he staid to Brother Woods ; he 
said, was a member of some society ; he did not mention Ellsworth and 
Wood together, as being equally pious. 

On the part of the complainant, Jonathan Harris was called, and 
testified : Two or three days ago, Rathbone told me that Kelly never 
said Wood was pious ; all Kelly said, was to call him Brother Wood. 

H. M. Kelly, called and testified: I never told Rathbone that 
Wood had become pious, and joined the society ; have never spoken 
to Rathbone of Wood in any way. 

Charge First— Specification Seventh. In telling Brothers De Wolf 
and Harris that you worked thirty days in painting the meeting-house* 
when it was repaired. 

Jonathan Harris testifies — Brother Whittlesey told me that he had 
worked thirty days on the meeting-house ; he was saying how much 
he had done ; done more than any other man in the society. 

Cross Examined. I think the'idea was, that he worked exclusively 
in painting. 

Joshua Pratt testified-— Brother Whittlesey painted here, but, I 
should say, not thirty days ; I was here myself three days painting 
and repairing the windows, and I should think, that in that time the 
bigger part of the inside painting had been over once and partly over 
again ; In regard to the time that Brother Whittlesey was here I can- 
not say exactly, but I should think not to exceed sixteen days. 

Rebutting Testimony. Sarah Whittlesey. Question. What season 
of the year did Mr. Whittlesey work on the meeting-house ? 

Answer. As nigh as I can recollect, it was in the month of Novem- 



65 

ber ; should think not far from a month ; he worked on the meeting* 
house, gallery, pulpit, painting, &c. 

Henry P. Whittlesey testified— At that time I worked at my bro^ 
trier's and lived at my father's ; was there during the week ; not from 
Saturday till Monday ; from the best of my recollection, he worked in 
painting, &c. over a month. 

Cross Examined. Am acquainted some with painting ; did not 
paint the outside ; some one else might have done some of the 
painting. 

Nathan Minard testified to similar as the last witness. 
Took up the Seventh Specification — Charge Second. Two letters 
were read, purporting to be from John Whittlesey to a young lady, 
which the counsel for the defendant admitted, and said he wished he 
had a dozen more just like them. This was on a charge for writing 
improper letters to a female, but not sustained. 

Sarah Whittlesey testifies — -I think I recollect two letters my hus- 
band wrote (I was sick at the time) to the then Miss Collins, since 
Mrs, Wood, a little previous to their marriage ; he was hoping we 
should go up to Somers and Mr. Whittlesey would marry them ; one 
of the letters lay, I think, on the stand by the side of my bed, un^ 
sealed ; she was supposed to have the lung fever when Mr. Whittle^ 
sev left her residence ; he wrote but two letters I think ; should think 
the letters read here last evening were the letters ; I think those are 
the only ones 

D. Dochester, counsel for plaintiffs, wished to submit the case with? 
out remarks. Agreed to, 

Remarks. I would say, that a great noise had been made with re? 
gard to these letters, which Kelly had procured copies of, and many 
fabrications were circulated by him to my injury with regard to their 
contents. But when they found themselves under the necessity of 
procuring the original letters at the trial, all was changed ; for the 
committee decided that the letters were proper in all respects, inas- 
much as the charge was not sustained. 

I have examined the minutes of the evidence in the within, and find 
them substantially correct. Robert Allyn, Secretary. 

Colchester, May 12th, 1845. 

Committee organized by the appointment of R. Hurlburt, chairman, 
and F. S. Hoyt, Secretary. 

The committee having examined the testimony given in the case, 
find that Specifications third and fourth, under Charge first, are sus- 
tained ; and also that Specification sixth, under Charge second, is sus? 
tained ; that the other Specifications under Charges first and second 
are not sustained ; also that Charges third and fourth are not sustained ; 
Specification ninth, under Charge first, Specification third, under 
Charge secondhand Charge fifth, were withdrawn. 

And, therefore, they decide that the Rev. John Whittlesey be sua-? 
pended from the ministerial office till the next quarterly conference. 

Ralph Hurlburt, Chairman, 
John Sheffield, Francis S. Hoyt, Secretary, 

C. D. Fillmore, Henry J. Newall. 

6* 



66 

" 0, Israel thou hast destroyed thyself!" Hosea 13, 9. 

Trial before the Quarterly Conference. 

Reader. — I am now about to present you an authentic account of 
one of the most astonishing, strange, and singular trials, that ever dis- 
graced the annals of any church, state, kingdom, or country, from the 
reign of the tyrant Nero, down to the present era. One which sets 
aside all precedent or law, either civil, military, human or divine. 
Where the very accuser himself, sat not only as witness, but as judge. 
This seems almost too astounding for belief, but it is nevertheless posi- 
tively true, that R. S. Lewis, the very man who preferred the charges, 
actually sat as judge upon the case, together with Jonathan Harris, 
Wm. De Wolf, and L. Weaver, the very men who had been for weeks 
and months my most implacable enemies ; men, who had expended 
time and money without stint or measure, and travelled hundreds of 
miles, inquiring from place to place, and from house to house, if they 
cculd not tell them something against Mr. Whittlesey — and in some 
j lices saying they did not care if it was fifteen or twenty years ago. 
Men, who had expressed their opinion publicly time and again. Men, 
who went to the meeting house of Mr. Denison the day before the 
trial, on the Lord's day, and there electioneered with all the vehemence 
^f political demagogues against me ; and who had spoken all manner 
of evil against me, both privately and in public. Who had made it 
their business for weeks and months to sour the minds, if possible, of 
every member of the conference, and particularly the ministry. These 
men I say, all of them witnesses against me, and one of them bringing 
the charges openly, and all of them my accusers, and one of them hav- 
ing acted as president of the board, and having expressed their opin- 
ion openly beforehand, were allowed to sit as my judges, to condemn 
me. il 0, the offence is rank, and smells to heaven." Any indifferent 
person would have supposed, that common modesty or even decency, 
to say nothing of honesty, would have prompted them, even though 
they had ever so good a right to have been judges on the case, to have 
withdrawn. In vain did my counsel point out the rank injustice of the 
measure ; in vain did he entreat ; in vain did he implore and urge the 
necessity of a fair, honest, and honorable trial, telling them it was con- 
trary to the gospel. He was told : " We go by the discipline now" 
Nothing could move them. Why ! Because they knew that not a 
single charge had in any manner been sustained, and they dare not 
trust an unprejudiced board to try the case, and I challenge them to 
find a single man who heard the trial, and was in no way concerned in 
it, who has a different opinion. There is but one mind among the 
community upon this subject ; there can be but one, but what care they 
for public opinion — what care they for usage or right. Had they have 
cared, would they have retained their seats with all the pertinacity of 
the ghost of Banquo, against the entreaties of the accused, and all sense 
of honesty, precedent, justice or right. I shall leave further remarks 



67 

upon this subject for the present for further consideration, in my me- 
moirs, life, and sufferings, which will ere long appear before the 
public. 

Monday Morning, May 5th 1845, nine o'clock, A. M. The case of 
Rev. John Whittlesey, which had been examined in a committee of 
inquiry, called at Salem, May 2d : came before the quarterly meeting 
conference for final adjudication. R. W. Allyn, Presiding. R. Al- 
lyn, was appointed Secretary. 

The decision of the committee was read, and proceeded to read 
the testimony, as given before the committee. 

On Charge first, Specification third. In stating to Mark Dodge, 
that Elias Harvey had agreed to give a deposition, in your favor, dif- 
ferent from the one, given to Joseph M'Gregory. Evidence in this 
specification, the same as on the former trial before the committee. 
The reader is referred to the testimony of Elias Harvey, on the 
former trial, for the complainant ; and that of Orramel Whittlesey, on 
the part of the defendant. 

On Charge first* Specification fourth. The denying having walked 
with two young ladies, as stated by Brothers Pratt and Harris ; for 
Joshua Pratt's testimony, see former trial ; and for Wm. De Wolf, Jona- 
than Harris, and Hannah A. Pratt, see former trial also, on the part 
of the complainant. A communication from Hannah A. Pratt, was 
then read as follows. 

This is to certify, that, I distinctly remember that on the evening, 
when Mr. John Whittlesey, left our house in company with two young 
ladies, viz., Jane Stebbins, and Jane M. Collins, to go to Mr. Thomp- 
son's meeting, which was held near the place called Dark Hollow; 
it was about dark, that is during the twilight of the evening. 

Salem, May 5th, 1845. Hannah A. Pkatt. 

The deposition of Joshua Pratt, on the part of the defendant, was 
then read ; and written communications from Rev. Charles Thompson^ 
G. O. Williams, Esq., Nancy Minard, Alfred Loomis, Anstrus G. 
Loomis, and Ellen A. Loomis ; for Joshua Pratt's deposition, see 
former trial. 

Salem, May 5th, 1845. Having been requested by Mr. John Whit- 
tlesey, Jun., to state whether Miss Collins and Miss Stebbins, rode 
with me, from meeting more than once. I would state, that I have an 
indistinct recollection of the fact that they once did ride with me from 
the Dark Hollow School House, but I have no recollection that they 
ever rode with me more than once. The exact time, when those per- 
sons rode with me, I cannot correctly state. 

Charles Thompson. 

This may certify, that we saw Mr. Joshua Pratt with two young la- 
dies and the Rev. John Whittlesey on their way up to a meeting, held 
at the Dark Hollow School House, (so called,) by the Rev. Charles 
Thompson, and that they did not lock arms with the Rev. John Whit- 
tlesey, and had they done so, or had they been locking arms while pass-* 
ing, we should have seen them ; the young ladies were not neav 



68 

enough to Mr. Whittlesey for that purpose ; of this we are confident. 
The time to which we allude was the time that Mr. Thompson brought 
the young ladies above alluded to back in his waggon. Salem, May 
5, 1845. Alfred Loomis, 

Anstrus G. Loomis, 
Ellen A. Loomis. 

This is to certify, that I saw the Rev. John Whittlesey, Miss Col- 
lins and Miss Stebbins at the time the Rev. Charles Thompson had a 
meeting at Dark Hollow School House, (so called.) I saw them walk 
from the house of Elijah Tredway to the house of Henry P. Whittle* 
sey, owned by him at that time, which is about fifty rods ; and I further 
state, that they were not locking arms while I saw them. N. B. — I 
understood Rev. C. Thompson carried them back in his wao-gon at the 
time. May 3, 1845. G. O. Williams. 

This may certify, that I saw Mr. Joshua Pratt, the Rev. John Whit- 
tlesey and two ladies pass the house where I live, and I understood at 
the time that they were going to attend a meeting to be holden by the 
Rev. Charles Thompson at the Loomis School House, so called, near 
a place called Dark Hollow, and that when they passed, the ladies and 
Mr. Whittlesey were not locking arms ; and I afterward heard it said 
that Mr. Thompson brought the ladies back as far as his house in his 
carriage. Salem, May 5, 1845. Nancy Minard. 

Note. — In order that the reader may distinctly know the spirit that 
was manifested by Belinda Gates while testifying, and afterwards 
while some of the witnesses were testifying to her subsequent conver- 
sation, I will here state that she commenced stamping with her feet in 
such a rude, boisterous, and unbecoming a manner, (particularly for 
a maiden lady some forty years of age,) that she was called to order 
by the moderator on the first trial ; and I will further state, that if I 
staid to breakfast as she testified, of which I have no recollection, that 
it is not at all probable that under the circumstances I made any re- 
marks of the kind of which she speaks. 

Charge Second— Specification Sixth — In sitting up to improper 
hours with women reported to be of bad character. 

The recorded testimony of Belinda Gates, and Ruth Randall's cer- 
tificate read on the part of the complainant, for which see former trial. 

Belinda Gates testified again — A lady watched with myself; laid 
out the corpse when Brother Whittlesey sat up ; no one present be- 
sides Mrs. Randall ; when he sat up it was not at the time when Mrs. 
Thompson died ; the next morning after Mrs. Thompson died I 
went with Elias Thompson, Jun., to Samuel Holmes' to borrow a 
mourning dress of Betsey Holmes after breakfast ; I remember the 
time he staid all night, he was at breakfast at Mr. Thompson's ; there 
was a conversation ; Mr. Whittlesey joked Miss Rosanna Thompson 
about her beau, Sanford Forsyth ; she said she thought if Elder Whit- 
tlesey thought Mr. Forsyth was partial, he, Whittlesey, would not like 
it; E. Thompson, Jun., came after breakfast; the night I watched 
was the night before Mrs. Thompson's death, a day between ; don't 
recollect seeing Mr. Whittlesey there the night she died. 



69 

Cross Examined. Question. How long since the death of Mr®. 
Thompson 1 

Answer. Possibly about thirteen years ago ; rough partitions only 
between us ; I thought it a little improper at the time ; and Mrs. Ran- 
dall had conversed about it before widow Rathbone and sister Rath- 
bone, and I spoke about the e'vil reports respecting Mr. Whittlesey, 
and said this was all I knew against him 

Certificate from Betsey Holmes introduced, as follows : 

Salem, May 5th, 1845. 

This may certify that I distinctly recollect, on the morning after the 
death of Mrs. Thompson, that Elias Thompson, Jun., came here with 
Miss Belinda Gates and borrowed a silk dress of me, for Rosanna 
Thompson to wear at her mother's funeral. Betsey Holmes. 

Lydia H. Rathbone testified — When Elias went after Whittlesey, 
he brought me home about sundown ; Belinda Gates and Mrs. Randall 
were to watch, so the girls said ; girls* character very bad ; bad as 
bad could be. 

Asa Rathbone testified — Elias Thompson's character is not, as I 
think, on a par with mankind in general. 

Counsel for defendant presented two certificates from Sarah Whit- 
tlesey and Sarah Thompson. 

To the Quarterly Meeting Conference, to be holden at Montville, 
May 5th, 1845. 

This may certify, that at the time of mother Thompson's death, 
which was either thirteen or fourteen years ago, that 1 was knowing to 
my husband going after the Rev. John Whittlesey to pray with her, at 
her request ; and although I was not present on his return, because it 
was late, the whole family told me he had been there, the next day when 
I came back to my father's, and that he had prayed and sung with her 
twice, and that she had found comfort, and that he had stayed all night, 
but Brother Whittlesey had gone back, and it is my impression that it 
was the night she died ; but it is so long since I cannot certainly say ; 
but they told me that he was sick with the headache; I am certain, 
however, that Brother Whittlesey did not stay there but one night. 

Sarah Thompson. 

This may certify, that Elias Thompson came to our house several 
years since in the evening, and inquired for Mr. Whittlesey ; I told him 
that he was at the meeting house ; that he was preaching there ; at the 
close of the meeting, Orramel came and told me that 1 must not be 
concerned if father did not come home that night, as Elias Thompson 
had come for him to go to see his mother who was sick, and thought 
to be near her end, and pray with her, and that he had gone with him, 
and probably would not return that night ; this I should think was near 
nine o'clock ; Mr. Whittlesey stayed at Mr. Thompson's but one night 
during Mrs. Thompson's sickness ; I think that Elias Thompson 
brought Mr. Whittlesey home in the morning ; as Mr. Whittlesey was 
called for to pray with Mrs. Thompson in her sickness, when he ro- 



70 

turned, I asked him if Mrs. Thompson had obtained any comfort and 
satisfaction in her mind, he said he thought she had. Salem, May 5, 
1845. Sarah Whittlesey. 

Brother Dorchester, counsel for complainant, offered the opening 
plea. Brother Sidney Dean followed, on the part of the defendant, 
with a plea. Brother Whittlesey, the accused, then spoke a few words 
in his own behalf. Brother Dorchester followed in his closing argu- 
ment. Quarterly Meeting Conference began the final judgment on the 
specifications brought before them. Voted that specification third, 
charge first, is sustained. Voted that specification fourth, charge 
first, is sustained. Voted that these specifications do sustain the first 
charge. Voted that specification sixth, under charge second, is sus- 
tained. Voted that this specification does sustain the charge. Wit- 
nesses and audience were again admitted, and the decision of the 
Quarterly M. Conference was read by the Secretary. 

The chair then announced, that the Rev. John Whittlesey is no 
longer a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United 
States of America. The accused decided not to appeal. Voted to 
Mr. John Whittlesey an attested copy of the minutes of this trial. 
Adjourned. 

I have examined the minutes of the evidence, in the within, and find 
them substantially correct. Robert Allyn, 

Colchester, May 12, 1845. Secretary. 

Remarks. — I would beg leave to remark, as this charge was report- 
ed by the committee as sustained, and the last charge of the three on 
which I was bound over to the Quarterly Conference, that it was not 
even pretended that there was anything criminal in what was alleged 
against me on the foregoing specification, even though it had been all 
true. The witness herself testifies to that fact. Now put it in the 
worst light that even my most bitter enemies would choose to place it, 
and it would be barely an imprudence. But how were the facts in the 
case] Mr. Thompson was a respectable farmer, and a member of the 
Baptist Church. One of the two daughters in question had a child at 
that time, which of course very justly involved her chastity ; the other 
was at that time a professed follower of Christ. The mother of these 
two daughters lay dying. I was sent for, to pray with the dying 
mother. The messenger arrived about 9 o'clock, at the Methodis 
Meeting house, as I was closing the meeting for the evening. I sent 
home word to Mrs. W. that it was so late that I should probably not 
return that night. This was between thirteen and fourteen years ago. 
The distance I had to go was nearly four miles ; the road was very 
bad, and the night was dark, and our progress necessarily very slow. 
It was ten o'clock before we arrived. I sang and prayed with her. 
I had a violent headache, and went into the only other room, where 
there was a light, or a fire, it being in the month of March and the 
weather cold, and called for some camphor, to bathe my head. I sat 
down by the fire for the purpose of heating my feet, which sometimes 



71 

acts as a remedy in case3 of violent headache, to which I have for 
years been subject. I sat there, perhaps, thirty minutes, and I should 
think not to exceed that. No one offered me a bed, and I finally asked 
for one and retired. And I solemnly affirm, that the first time I ever 
thought, heard, or dreamed that any one thought there was any im- 
propriety in the matter, was thirteen years afterwards, when the charge 
was brought against me ! With regard to the character of the girls, 
I know nothing further than as before stated, nor is it even material, 
since it is not even pretended that I had any thing to do with them. 
But in the language of the Rev. Mr. Dean, I will say, " Now, I ask 
every person within the sound of my voice, if there is one here, that 
believes that there is a daughter on the habitable globe, so lost to all 
feeling of natural affection, so devoid of all fear of the grim monster 
Death, so awfully, so horribly, so abominably depraved, as to even 
think of committing an act of impropriety of a sensual nature, when 
their own mother lay dying in the next room]" But, says the objec- 
tor, no such thing is pretended. We only say you was there at eleven 
o'clock, and eleven o'clock is an improper hour. 

It would then appear, if I had not attended a meeting that night, but 
had gone over in the edge of the evening, even though I had staid as 
long, there would have been no impropriety. But the almighty God of 
heaven and earth, who searches all hearts, and will not look upon ini- 
quity with the least allowance, knows, that in all that matter, I did 
nothing more or less than what my conscience approves, and nothing 
but what I shall rejoice to meet at the bar of God, and nothing but 
what my mission as a gospel minister enjoined upon me ; and what 
must be the depravity of those hearts that would bring forward Asa 
Rathbone to testify against the moral character, for truth and veracity 
of Elias Thompson, who testifies in this case relative to the sickness, 
and death of his mother, who has been a member of the M. E. Church 
for fifteen years or more, and was, at the time of his mother's death. 
Surely it may be said in the language of scripture, the heart is deceitful 
above all things and desperately wicked. 

At the close of the trial, Daniel Dochester arose in behalf of the 
complainant, and began to tell how long he had known Brother Whit- 
tlesey, and that he had heard him preach before he, Dochester, was a 
Methodist ; said something about being sheltered beneath his roof, and 
he might have mentioned how I had befriended him when a poor boy, 
his father and mother having quarrelled and parted, leaving him desti- 
tute and alone. But he did speak of my kindness to him it is true, 
but he said nothing of the return he had made for the favors of which 
he spoke ; made no comments upon the black ingratitude with which 
he had repaid my kindness ; of the efforts he had made ever since a 
certain period, to injure me in my reputation and property; of the 
pains he has taken to circulate stories against me, which he knew to 
be false ; of the boasts that he has made that he would have me down. 
But he said he expected but few favors from a certain quarter, and he 
certainly must have known that he could not expect them in justice. 



72 

His argument was unfair, unchristian, and ungentlemanly. He went 
on to state that he knew something with regard to the time that I went 
to pray with Mrs. Thompson, that he might state to my injury, but 
he forbore to do it. Now, if he knew any thing about it personally, he 
must have kept it concealed for thirteen years, which people who 
know of his deadly malice toward me, would not be very likely to be- 
lieve. If he had heard any statements, he certainly could have brought 
his informers as witnesses, his plea was made up of dark insinuations, 
destitute of argument or point, and having little or no bearing upon the 
accusations in question. 

The Rev. Mr. Dean followed, and in a meek and christian spirit, 
with power and eloquence, swept away and unmasked their refuge of 
falsehood, in such'a manner as to do honor to himself, and the cause 
he had espoused. 

'Conclusion. — It is now almost half a century since I received a com- 
mission from the everlasting God, to proclaim life and salvation to 
the children of men — during which period he has seen lit to crown 
and bless the labors of his unworthy servant in a most wonderful and 
miraculous manner ; he having graciously condescended to use me as 
the humble instrument, in his hands, of the hopeful conversion of many 
hundreds of precious and immortal souls. I feel that my race is near- 
ly run on earth, and I look forward with pleasing anticipation for that 
rest which remains for the people of God beyond the crumbling tomb. 
The frosts of nearly seventy winters have bleached the brow of the 
persecuted and the oppressed ; but there is rest in heaven — yes, glory be 
to him that sitteth upon the throne, and the lamb forever. It is true 
my enemies have taken from me my mission of parchment, and strip- 
ped me of my earthly all ; hut I have a commission from a higher source ; 
I have a mission from the Almighty Jehovah, the Lord God of Hosts, 
whose I am and whom I serve, to proclaim the everlasting gospel of 
peace to the children of men ; and, rest assured, that armed with the 
dread panoply of his name, I shall never cease to proclaim life and 
peace to the children of men so long as he shall see fit to lend me 
his almighty aid. And now, in the language of the great apostle of the 
Gentiles, I will say, " Behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, 
not knowing the things that shall befall me there, save that the Holy 
Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide 
me." ** But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear 
unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry 
which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the 
grace of God." And now, reader, farewell. May God in his infinite 
mercy, bless and preserve you, and if we never meet on earth, may 
we meet in heaven. 

JOHN WHITTLESEY. 



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